JAISALMER: The education department on Friday suspended principal of a school in Barmer following reports of separate utensils for Dalit students during mid-day meals.
Principal Raichand Choudhary was accused of caste-based discrimination at the government middle school at Puniyon ki Dhani (Rohli east) in Dhorimanna area of Barmer. Dalit children were made to sit separately and distributed nutritious supplement.
In this regard, Barmer collector Shivprasad Nakate said, a report was sought from officials yesterday. During preliminary investigation, allegations were found to be correct. So, we have suspended principal Choudahry. A complete report is still to come. We want to give an overall message that such things should not be tolerated at any level and a message should be clear that there is no discrimination against upper caste and schedule castes, he said.
According to sources, principal Choudhary has been following this discriminatory practice against Dalit children for long. Though the children and their parents had complained to the principal, he simply failed to change his ways.
On Tuesday, the students lodged a complaint against the principal at Dhorimanna police station under the SC/ST Act.
After the case was lodged, the principal has been put on 'awaiting posting order' (APO) and told to mark his attendance at the office of the block education officer in Dhorimanna.
Nakate said, the DEO has been asked to file a report and promised to take action against the principal if he was found guilty. He said that other schools were being checked in the region to see if Dalit students were facing such discrimination.
Officials have also been directed to take strict action against such schools. DSP Ram Jeevan said that he would investigate the matter on Friday. Many leaders of the Dalit community too have demanded action against the principal.
Principal Raichand Choudhary was accused of caste-based discrimination at the government middle school at Puniyon ki Dhani (Rohli east) in Dhorimanna area of Barmer. Dalit children were made to sit separately and distributed nutritious supplement.
In this regard, Barmer collector Shivprasad Nakate said, a report was sought from officials yesterday. During preliminary investigation, allegations were found to be correct. So, we have suspended principal Choudahry. A complete report is still to come. We want to give an overall message that such things should not be tolerated at any level and a message should be clear that there is no discrimination against upper caste and schedule castes, he said.
According to sources, principal Choudhary has been following this discriminatory practice against Dalit children for long. Though the children and their parents had complained to the principal, he simply failed to change his ways.
On Tuesday, the students lodged a complaint against the principal at Dhorimanna police station under the SC/ST Act.
After the case was lodged, the principal has been put on 'awaiting posting order' (APO) and told to mark his attendance at the office of the block education officer in Dhorimanna.
Nakate said, the DEO has been asked to file a report and promised to take action against the principal if he was found guilty. He said that other schools were being checked in the region to see if Dalit students were facing such discrimination.
Officials have also been directed to take strict action against such schools. DSP Ram Jeevan said that he would investigate the matter on Friday. Many leaders of the Dalit community too have demanded action against the principal.
Get latest news & live updates on the go on your pc with News App. Download The Times of India news app for your device.
