Dalits protest teacher’s discrimination

Odisha: Dalit students and their guardians of a primary school in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday held demonstrations against the behaviour of a teacher who allegedly considers them “untouchable”.

According to reports, headmistress Tilottama Panda of Budhikhamari primary school at Baripada allegedly sprinkles cow dung water and tulsi water on her own body if dalit students touch her during school hour.

“The headmistress sprinkles cow dung water and tulsi water on her, if our hand touches hers while handing over note copies. She also tells us to maintain distance from her after submitting note copies on table,” the protesting students alleged.

On the other hand, the teacher rubbished the allegations.

“The allegations are false and baseless. Someone has incited the students to do so,” she said.

Reports report the district administration had asked the local education officer to probe into the allegation and submit a report.