Daijiworld Media Network (SR)

Madurai, Jun 13: In a strange and apathetic incident, an anganvadi worker at Valayapatti in Tamilnadu was transferred due to her being born in a lower cast. M Annalaksmi was appointed as a helper and a cook at the anganwadi centre in her village Valayapatti, On June 3. On the very next day, the district administration transferred her to the nearest village Kilavaneri.

As per The Hindu report, Annalaksmi said “The caste Hindus of the village went to the ICDS office in Tirumangalam taluk and said that their children would never eat food prepared by an SC woman.”

The report says the district administration transferred Annalaksmi and another lady from the same community, M. Jyothilakshmi, who also works in the same Valayapatti centre, due to pressure and fear of a backlash from the caste Hindus.

It is said that the people grumbled about appointment of the two women saying their presence itself would pollute the food. The whole incident and immediate transfer happened in the backdrop of a clash between the caste Hindus and SCs that began when Dalits were not allowed to worship at the local Muthalamman temple festival in April.

“Young caste Hindu men refused to allow us to even break coconuts from outside the temple,” said Jyothilakshmi. “I went to submit a certificate after a medical examination, ready to begin work. But the officer there told me that several men and women from my village had come to the centre opposing our appointment. They had apparently told the officer that they would never touch the food prepared by Dalits,” she said, as per The Hindu report.

Peraiyur police have registered cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and IPC. DSP T. Mathialagan, who is in-charge of investigating the case, said 11 accused have been remanded in judicial custody.

The Collector in-charge S. Shantha Kumar, on his visit to bring up the confidence among the villagers said “Everyone can go back to their work and this caste issue, as far as the district administration is concerned, is closed.” Nevertheless, the two women are still waiting for information from the higher authorities regarding their return in Valayapatti anganvadi.