Pro-dalit outfits condemn caste discrimination against cook

Nearly 100 members of pro-Dalit outfits today took lunch at the house of a Dalit woman, expressing solidarity with her, days after she was prevented from cooking noon meal at a government school in neighbouring Tirupur district.

P Pappal, who was posted as a cook at Ochampalayam village in Tirupur district for the last two years, was shifted to the government primary school in her native Thirumalaigoundanpalayam village a week ago at her request.

Some upper caste Hindus belonging to the Gounder community protested against her posting as she was a Dalit, police had said.

Parents of children of Gounder caste also exerted pressure on the authorities concerned to transfer her, they had said.

Bowing to the pressure from the community, the Block Development Officer had then cancelled the transfer and deputed Pappal back to her previous school in Ochampalayam.

Following a hue and cry by various outfits, the district administration cancelled the transfer order and reinstated her at Thirumalaigounderpalayam again.

However, the parents of 30 children refused to sent their wards to school from then on-wards.

In order to protest against caste discrimination, members of Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhakam, Adi Tamizhar Peravai and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi visited the house of Pappal, police said.

She served them lunch and explained the 'humiliation' and 'mental agony' she had faced in the hands of 'casteist groups,' they said.

The National Commission of SC/ST had already issued summons to Tirupur District Collector, Superinetendent of Police and Chief Education Officer to appear before it for an inquiry on July 30 at Delhi.