Regularise services of Dalit cook, says National Commission of Scheduled Castes panel

A few weeks ago, Pappal, who was working as a cook in a government school in Tirupur, was transferred to another school after caste Hindu parents strictly advised their children to avoid food cooked by her and staged a protest against her appointment.

However, the transfer order of Pappal, was revoked later following backlash from political parties.  It all started when the woman was transferred to Government High School in her native Thirumalai Goundanpalayam village near Avinashi in Tirupur district on July 17.

The parents also complained about the posting of Pappal to the school headmistress who in-turn informed the Block Development Officer at Avinashi. Within a day of her joining, the 42-year-old Pappal was again transferred back on July 18 to the school, where she was serving earlier by buckling to pressure from protesting parents.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Scheduled Caste has sought a report from the district administration. It also summoned the Collector, Superintendent of Police and Education officials for an inquiry in New Delhi on July 30. 

In this backdrop, the commission, besides directing to regularise the services of Pappal, has ordered Tiruppur district police to file an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the Block Development Officer of Avinashi, who reportedly succumbed to pressure from caste Hindus and revoking her transfer.