Odisha Anganwadi Restarts after 3 Months of Protest by Parents for a Dalit Cook
Anganwadi in Odisha reopened after 3 months of closure caused by caste discrimination against a Dalit cook, following government action and community awareness efforts.
In Nuagaon village in Odisha, an Anganwadi centre remained closed for almost three months after villagers refused to send their children there. The reason was caste discrimination against a young Dalit woman who was appointed as the cook.
The Anganwadi centre provides food, basic education and health support to small children, pregnant women and new mothers in rural areas. However, the centre stopped functioning because many families boycotted it.
In November 2025, Sarmista Sethi (also known as Sharmishtha Sethy), a graduate, was appointed as the helper-cum-cook at the centre. She was the only applicant for the job and was to receive a salary of Rs. 5,000 per month.
Soon after her appointment, some upper-caste villagers objected to her cooking at the centre. According to Sarmista, a few villagers warned her not to cook food. When she refused to step down, they stopped sending their children to the centre. They also told other families not to send their children because they did not want them to eat food prepared by a Dalit woman.
There are seven Dalit families in the village, and they were also pressured to follow this decision. As a result, the centre became empty. Even pregnant women stopped visiting and missed important health and nutrition benefits.
The Anganwadi worker, Lizarani Pandav, informed the local Child Development Officer about the issue. Officials and the village Sarpanch tried to speak to the villagers, but the matter did not get resolved immediately.
Dalit leaders later visited the village and criticised the administration for not taking strict action. They also reminded people that the Supreme Court of India had earlier stated that SC/ST candidates should be given preference in cooking jobs under government meal schemes.
After the issue came to light, the District Collector asked for a detailed report and said action would be taken against those preventing children and women from attending the centre.
Officials then started awareness activities, including door-to-door visits, community meetings and cultural programmes. A major breakthrough came on 14th February, when more than 150 villagers attended a meeting and took a pledge to send children back to the centre. A community meal was also organised, where Sarmista served food to parents and local leaders.
On 15th February, Baijayant Panda, Kendrapara MP and BJP National Vice President, visited the village. He shared a meal prepared at the Anganwadi and appreciated the community and administration for supporting children’s welfare.
Finally, on 16th February morning, the Anganwadi centre reopened. Children came dressed in bright clothes along with their parents. Sarmista first served ragi ladoos and later rice and dal.
Out of 20 enrolled children, 16 attended the centre, while four were absent due to illness.
Sarmista said she felt very happy seeing the children eat and play after nearly three months of closure. She added that she hopes such caste discrimination will not happen again and the centre will continue to function peacefully.
