An Anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village under Ghadiamal Gram Panchayat in Rajnagar block of Kendrapara district, Odisha, has remained shut for nearly three months after villagers allegedly stopped sending their children following the appointment of a Dalit woman as helper-cum-cook. The closure has disrupted early childhood education and nutrition services for enrolled children.
Twenty-year-old graduate Sharmistha Sethi was appointed to the post on November 20, 2025. She alleges that opposition began soon after she assumed charge. According to her, several families have refused to send their children to the centre and have also declined to accept free food items provided for children, including sattu and eggs. Sethi claims the resistance is rooted in caste bias. She said she comes from an economically vulnerable family and secured the job after considerable hardship, adding that she aspires to become a teacher in the future.
The Anganwadi worker stated that although 20 children are enrolled at the centre, none are currently attending. Workers reportedly visited households to persuade parents to send their children, but the efforts yielded no positive response.
Anganwadi centres are designed to provide early childhood education, supplementary nutrition, immunisation support, and health monitoring for children aged three to six years under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Officials said the prolonged closure could adversely affect the physical and cognitive development of children.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, a district administration team visited the village. Child Development Project Officer Dipali Mishra said that only the sarpanch, a ward member, and two villagers attended a meeting convened to address the issue. She stated that the administration is keen to ensure that children resume attending the centre so their education and nutrition are not compromised. Further action will be taken as per directions from higher authorities.
According to Mishra, the post of helper-cum-cook was advertised in 2024 and 2025, and Sethi was the sole applicant. She receives an honorarium of ₹5,000 per month. Her responsibilities include preparing meals for children, assisting in play-based learning activities, and supporting health-related tasks.
The matter was also raised in Parliament. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, expressed concern, stating that if children are refusing food prepared by a Dalit woman even in the 21st century, it runs counter to the principles of social justice and equality. He said Anganwadi centres form the foundation of children’s holistic development and that such discrimination undermines their constitutional rights.
The district administration is currently working to restore normal functioning at the centre and ensure children’s attendance. The incident in Nuagaon has once again raised serious questions about entrenched caste discrimination in rural society.
