Institutionalized form of untouchability in Gujarat: 5 Anganwadis in Sarpadad village, separate centers for Dalit children

Children playing in Anganwadi number-2.

Untouchability continues in the country even after so many years of independence. At the same time, Gujarat, which is called modern, is not untouched by it. The latest case is Sarpadad village of Gujarat. This village, 21 km from Rajkot, has five Anganwadis, in which only children of Dalit community study in one, while children of other communities and castes study in the remaining four.

4500 people live in the village
The population of this village is 4500. At the same time, the Anganwadi center of Dalit and other societies is barely 50 meters away. Yet here children study differently.

This can happen even if Dalit basti is nearby.
Vijayaben Parmar, who has been working as a helper in Anganwadi for the last 14 years, said that out of 5 Anganwadis in the village, only children of Dalit community study in number-2. In the back part of this Anganwadi, there is a settlement of Dalit community, hence children of Dalit community also come here. Here children from other societies do not come to the Anganwadi.

no restrictions here
At the same time, Pragyaben Ranipa, member of Anganwadi 5, said that there is no restriction in any Anganwadi for the children of Dalit society, but they do not send their children here.

Entire matter will be investigated
In this regard, DDO Dev Chaudhary said that if so, then it is wrong. Discrimination is not acceptable under any circumstances. First of all this whole matter will be investigated.