-- NDTV Correspondent
    Tuesday, May 17, 2005, Gaya, Uttar Pradesh

In Bihar, Dalits continue to be ostracized not by the upper castes but by the backward Yadav community. In one such incident in Gaya district, the midday meal scheme for schoolchildren was stopped by the villagers because the food was being cooked by Dalit women. "The villagers came and first said there's a scam in this midday meal scheme. Then they started loudly questioning why people from the Dalit community are being allowed to cook the food," said Indu Kumar, a teacher.

Meanwhile, Bihar Governor Buta Singh has said an inquiry will be ordered to look into this report. Dalit women at the centre of the entire controversy are two Dalit women, Kamla and Shruti Devi, who were chosen to cook the food for the children.  They were unaware that their caste will be the cause behind the children going without the much required midday meal.  "They said if Dalits will cook the food then how can Yadava's children eat it," said Kamla Devi.

"We are labourers, we will do any kind of work," said Shruti Devi. School authorities Although school authorities immediately informed the local district administration but their plea to intervene in this matter fell on deaf ears and now they say unless Yadavas are pacified how can they resume the service.

"In the given situation, unless the administration takes some action to rein in anti-social elements or punish those responsible, how can we resume the service?" said Rudra Narayan, Principal. Unless the district administration realizes the gravity of the situation and intervenes to end the caste discrimination, students in this school will have to go without a meal.