HUMAN RIGHTS TEACHERS OPPOSED CAST VIOLENCE IN SCHOOL (Impact of Human Rights Education)
6 Dalit students of Sidhamarichani Nodal U.P.School of Koilipur G..P of Rajnagar Block under Kendrapara district were not allowed to offer puja to Goddess SARASWATIA on the day of Sripanchami in the school. The head master of the school told that tradition of the school is only upper cast students can offer coconut to Goddes and puja. Then dalit children were denied and vacated by the head master. The parents of dalit students opposed the unconstitutional and derogative behavior of the Head Master and reported to local police. But the villagers were intervened into the matter and suppressed the incident inside their village. The news was reported in daily news paper. After reading the news Mr.Basudev Rath, (Bramhin by cast) a popular Human Rights Teacher of Satabhauni High School of Patamundai block of same district and his colleague Mr.Bijaya Ku. Bhuinya have contacted me and as per my advice, they rushed to the school on 3.2.09, which is 30 km distance from Patamundai to know the incident. They discussed with students, head master and Dalit parents and came to know that the matter was correct as per news coverage. The Head Master Mr. Nityananda Das, was feared and immediately confessed before them and begged apology. He told that save me and my job. Then Mr. Ratha connected his mobile phone to me and hand over to the head master. The head master admitted that this was the tradition of the school begged apology for his mistake. He also promised nevertheless it will happen in my tenure in any school. He wrote an undertaking and hand over to Mr. Rath in this regard. As per my advice over phone, the head master Mr. Das called a meeting in the school, where Mr.Rath addressed the students and teachers on Human Rights and human values. It is open truth that Dalit children are not getting chance to participate in the school activities. Each & Every student is entitled to enjoy equal right to participate in every program being conducted in school and society irrespective of caste and community. No body can prevent them as it is enshrined in Constitution of India as a fundamental right. N.B:- Human Rights Education program being implemented in more than 600 schools of Odisha by Institution of Human Rights Education with govt. permission. The objective of the program is to make human rights a culture in the society. To achieve this objective HRE curriculum should integrate in the school curriculum. Regards Pradipta Nayak State Coordinator Institute of Human Rights Education -Odisha
