In a powerful address to the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge laid bare the ugly reality of caste discrimination plaguing modern India. He declared that social justice is not mere rhetoric but the very soul of the Constitution, demanding urgent action to uplift Dalits, marginalized communities, and the vulnerable.
Kharge spotlighted a shocking incident in Odisha where an Anganwadi center has been boycotted for three months simply because meals are prepared by a Dalit woman helper and cook. Members of a particular community have refused to let their children eat the food, turning a nurturing space into a battleground of prejudice. ‘This isn’t just an insult to one woman; it’s a test of our constitutional values and social conscience,’ he asserted.
Highlighting the gravity, Kharge noted that Anganwadi centers form the foundation of children’s physical and mental growth. Injecting caste bias into these spaces scars young minds, sowing seeds of division and hatred. He linked this to violations of Article 21(A) on the right to education and Article 47 on nutrition and public health, questioning the state’s commitment if such programs fall prey to bigotry.
Kharge broadened the lens, referencing horrific cases: a tribal laborer’s dehumanizing ordeal in Madhya Pradesh, a Dalit government employee’s suicide in Gujarat due to harassment, and institutional bias allegations in Chandigarh after a senior police officer’s death. These incidents reveal caste prejudice entrenched not just in society but in institutions.
Citing Articles 14, 15, and 17 guaranteeing equality, non-discrimination, and abolition of untouchability, alongside the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, he urged the government to treat such cases with utmost seriousness. Immediate investigations, strict action against perpetrators, victim protection, and awareness campaigns in sensitive institutions like Anganwadis are essential to foster equality and respect in children’s hearts.