Dalit students barred from offering puja in Orissa

Dalit students at a government-run primary school were allegedly prevented from offering puja and having ‘prasad’ during Saraswati puja at a village in Kendrapara district on January 31.

“The block development officer,Rajnagar,has been asked to inquire into the veracity of the allegations and submit a report. If the school authorities are found guilty,they will be taken to task,” Kendrapara Collector Sisirkanta Panda said.

Agitated guardians had drawn the attention of local BDO who turned a deaf ear,after which the district magistrate and collector were petitioned.

Caste-related discrimination is still prevalent,mainly in remote rural pockets of this coastal district.