A report from the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front has revealed a disturbing reality: Around 30 per cent of the state’s schools still engage in discriminatory practices against Dalit students. They are segregated in meal queues, identified by wristbands, and often relegated to tasks like cleaning toilets.
Similar incidents of discrimination have been reported across India’s education sector, from government schools in Karnataka to prestigious varsities like the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Two PhD scholars – one belonging to a Scheduled Caste and the other to a Scheduled Tribe – from the BHU-affiliated Mahila Maha Vidyalaya have alleged that a professor forced them to clean toilets and made casteist remarks. These cases, along with reports of suicides among Dalit students at institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), highlight the widespread and deep-rooted challenges faced by Dalit students across educational levels. These practices not only violate their constitutional rights but also deeply impact their self-esteem and educational development.
by Deelip Mhaske
25/12/2023