Dalit MLA humiliated in Orissa: Report

Bhubaneswar, Jul 23: Even in these days and times, Orissa continues to discriminate people on the basis of their caste and probably that should explain why the once-prosperous province is now reeling as one of the poorest states in India.

Giving ample evidence of the fact that the notorious caste system doesn't spare even the high and the mighty, a Dalit MLA of the state was at the receiving end of this discrimination.

According to reports, MLA Kashinath Mallik has alleged that he was not allowed to eat food along with others at an official meeting. He has been reported as saying that he was kept isolated from others and then served food at a separate meeting.

CNN-IBN quoted him as saying, "What happened was wrong. The other MLAs were seated and served lunch in the refreshment room. We were sitting in the other room and were served food on a plate made of leaves."

And added, "They must apologise to restore my dignity."

A MLA of the ruling party, Mallik has now written to Speaker of the Orissa Legislative Assembly and asked him to intervene in the matter.

According to reports, the incident took place on Jul 20, after a District Rural Development Authority meeting in the state's capital city of Bhubaneswar.

OneIndia News