In Rajya Sabha, the Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Mallikarjun Kharge counters the claims of Central Government on social Development and reforms

He said that in the 21st century, when we make grand claims of social development and social reform, in Odisha, members of a particular community refuse to give their children food prepared by a Dalit woman helper/cook.

That Anganwadi center has been boycotted for the past three months. Anganwadi centers are the foundation for the physical and mental development of children in the country, but such caste discrimination will have an impact on their development.

These incidents violate Article 21(1) of the Constitution and are contrary to the obligation under Article 47, which places on the State the responsibility to raise the level of nutrition and improve public health.

Such incidents can also be seen as caste discrimination in the workplace and in recent years, many such incidents have been reported from different parts of the country.

For example: In Madhya Pradesh, a brutal incident of a man urinating on a tribal labourer was reported. In Gujarat, a 28-year-old Dalit government employee committed suicide due to caste-based harassment. Following the death of a police officer in Chandigarh, allegations of institutionalized caste discrimination within the police force were raised.

These incidents demonstrate that caste discrimination is not limited to social life, but also exists in the workplace. Caste discrimination against any employee is a violation of the Constitution and a punishable offense. I demand that strict action be taken in such cases in a timely manner. Furthermore, where serious violations are found, accountability should be fixed.