Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 12: Congress president and leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Thursday sharply criticised what he described as continuing caste-based discrimination across the country. He highlighted a disturbing incident in Odisha where parents have reportedly refused to send their children to an Anganwadi centre for three months because the helper-cum-cook belongs to the Dalit community.
Kharge said the boycott has effectively paralysed the functioning of the centre, which is meant to provide essential nutrition and early childhood education. Stressing the importance of Anganwadis in supporting children’s physical and mental development, he expressed concern that young beneficiaries are being unfairly deprived due to entrenched social prejudice.
He condemned the discriminatory attitude shown toward the Dalit worker, asserting that children should not have to bear the consequences of caste-based biases held by adults. According to Kharge, every child is entitled to proper nutrition under government welfare schemes aimed at tackling malnutrition and supporting holistic development.
Broadening his criticism, Kharge referred to similar instances of caste discrimination reported in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chandigarh. He cited a case in Madhya Pradesh where a tribal labourer was subjected to public humiliation, as well as the alleged suicide of a Dalit government employee in Gujarat who reportedly faced sustained workplace harassment and institutional bias.
In Chandigarh, he mentioned the death by suicide of a Dalit Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), whose note allegedly detailed prolonged caste discrimination, mental harassment and humiliation within the police department.
Kharge argued that such incidents demonstrate how caste prejudice continues to infiltrate not only social life but also professional spaces, impacting the dignity, career prospects and safety of marginalised communities.
He emphasised that discrimination based on caste directly contravenes constitutional guarantees, including Article 14 (equality before the law), Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination) and Article 17 (abolition of untouchability). Calling for decisive government intervention, Kharge urged authorities to act swiftly and firmly against those responsible in such cases.
Taking a swipe at the government, he remarked that authorities often resort to excuses instead of meaningful action when Dalit rights are violated. He called for immediate and sincere efforts to uphold constitutional values and protect vulnerable sections of society from systemic injustice.