Dignity for Her Child: How an Ordinary Dalit Mother Takes On Kerala’s Casteist Education System After Her Son Was Forced to Clean a Classmate’s Vomit

‘Truth Has a Price’: For Priyanka Soman , a data entry operator at a cooperative bank with a meager monthly income and a homemaker struggling to make ends meet, life has turned into an unending struggle.

Geetha Sunil Pillai

Idukki, Kerala- Just days remain before the dawn of a new year—a time when most people eagerly anticipate fresh beginnings and brighter prospects for themselves and their loved ones.

But for 36-year old Priyanka Soman, the turn of the calendar brings little solace. For over a month, she has been relentlessly navigating the corridors of bureaucracy and law enforcement, from the Udambanchola Taluk office to the Idukki Collectorate, from the police station to the DySP office. Her resolve to seek justice for her little son is met with systemic apathy and resistance.

“The way the investigation is progressing, I feel no assurance,” Priyanka shares, her voice heavy with the burden of enduring caste biases she believes are stacked against Dalits like her.

For Priyanka , a data entry operator at a cooperative bank with a meager monthly income of 12 thousand rupees and a homemaker struggling to make ends meet, life has turned into an unending struggle.

Married to Sijoy Jacob a mason, for 13 years now, the couple has two children, but their modest livelihood has been overshadowed by a harrowing fight for justice for their six-year-old son, Pranav Sijoy. This battle began on November 20, 2024, when Priyanka learned that her son had been forced by his class teacher to clean vomit in his classroom.

“It is over a month now,” Priyanka says, her voice trembling. “Despite an FIR and clear evidence showing my son was coerced into a task meant for the cleaning staff, the school remains adamant. The accused teacher is unaffected, and not even a single apology has been tendered, let alone the police arresting the wrongdoer.”

The incident, which occurred on November 13, gained national attention after The Mooknayak published a series of investigative reports exposing the systemic apathy and inaction by the school management.

Despite the school’s own admission that children were made to perform cleaning tasks, no corrective measures were initially taken.

Priyanka Soman emphasizes the need for central and state agencies to mandate dedicated cleaning staff in all schools, ensuring children are never forced into menial tasks.

The School Incident that Sparked Outrage

On 13th November 2024, during a class at St. Benedict LP School, Sleevamala, a second-grade student vomited. Class teacher Maria Mathew allegedly instructed Pranav , a Dalit student, to clean up the vomit.

When Pranav hesitated, saying he would continue his lessons, the teacher sternly pointed at him and insisted he comply. She shouted at the poor child in front of the class. Frightened and in tears, the child reluctantly carried out the task while his peers watched.

One of his classmates, Niket, offered to assist him, but the teacher dismissed the offer, making it clear that only Pranav was to clean up the mess. This act, rooted in caste-based discrimination, has drawn widespread condemnation for its cruelty and unlawfulness.

The incident came to light on the evening of 20th December when one of Pranav’s classmates informed his mother Priyanka. Next day, she lodged complaints with the school’s headmistress and the Kattappana Assistant Educational Officer (AEO). However, instead of addressing the issue, these officials defended Maria Mathew. On December 22, Pranav’s mother escalated the matter to Childline and filed a complaint with the Circle Inspector at Udambanchola Police Station, but no action was taken.

Pranav’s mother continued her pursuit of justice by submitting a complaint to the Idukki District Collector on 27 November, and another to the Kattappana Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) on December 29. Following the DYSP’s instructions, Pranav and his mother were summoned to the police station late at night, where Pranav’s statement was recorded. A case was finally registered at 1:11 AM on November 30, under Crime No. 704/24 against class teacher Maria Mathew.

The charges filed against Maria include violations of the Juvenile Justice Act (Section 75) for cruelty to a minor and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act [Section 3(1)(r)], which address caste-based humiliation and coercion. These offenses are non-bailable.

Despite the registration of these charges, law enforcement has yet to arrest Maria Mathew or present her in court. Allegations have surfaced accusing the police of aiding the accused by tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses, further undermining the case.

Priyanka Soman emphasizes the need for central and state agencies to mandate dedicated cleaning staff in all schools, ensuring children are never forced into menial tasks.

Inter Caste Marriage and Struggles with Prejudice

Priyanka and her husband had a love cum arranged inter caste marriage registered under the Special Marriage Act in 2011. She hails from a Hindu SC (Sambavar) family, and her husband is a Dalit (Cheramar) Christian. However, Sijoy follows the Hindu tradition. As per law, their children have the freedom to adopt either parent’s religion; in this case, both children hold community certificates under the Hindu religion.

“I applied for Pranav’s caste certificate over a year ago, but it was issued only recently,” Priyanka explains. “The police requested this document, perhaps to confirm the case under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.” She shows the certificate, evidence of a protracted bureaucratic process that complicates the lives of marginalized communities.

Meanwhile, after the school’s management refused to address the gravity of the situation and allegedly attempted to downplay the allegations of caste-based discrimination, Pranav’s parents sought a transfer certificate (TC) for their son. He has been admitted in a government school, 12 kms away from their home.

“Pranav is not happy with the government school, as it is entirely new to him. He wishes to join St. Xavier’s School as many of his friends study there, but we are unsure whether he would be treated well there, given that the school falls under the same diocese. After much thought, we decided to enroll him in a government school, which is more affordable for us”, Priyanka said.

Accusations and Misrepresentations

Priyanka’s ordeal has been compounded by allegations that she is exploiting her son’s case for financial gain. “From the investigation hints I’ve received and the questions targeted at me—specifically about monetary transactions between me and the school—I feel they are trying to portray me in a bad light,” she laments.

Two prior incidents add to her anguish. Pranav suffered injuries—one on the school bus and another caused by a classmate. On both occasions, the school allegedly failed to provide immediate medical attention. Instead, they reimbursed her hospital expenses with online payments of a mere one thousand rupees each time.

“Now, these payments are being used to show that I’m trying to dig for money,” Priyanka says, her voice breaking. “How can a mother keep quiet when her son says, ‘I don’t want to go to school; they made me clean vomit’? Is it wrong for me to demand the termination of the teacher?”

Priyanka had also opened RD accounts for some teachers in her bank as a part of her professional responsibilities. “These transactions, for which I provided proper receipts, are now being misinterpreted and manipulated against me,” she adds. “After my complaints, the school management sent representatives to my house, offering monetary compensation,” Priyanka shares. “I refused straight away. If I had wanted money, I could have accepted their offer then and avoided all this pain and struggle to fight for justice.”

Priyanka Soman emphasizes the need for central and state agencies to mandate dedicated cleaning staff in all schools, ensuring children are never forced into menial tasks.

Despite these setbacks, Priyanka remains unwavering. She has sought support from Dalit and Bahujan organizations and even approached the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The NCPCR took cognizance of her complaint and issued a notice to the District Collector of Idukki under Section 13 of the CPCR Act, 2005, seeking an Action Taken Report within seven days.

However, the details of the report sent by the District Magistrate remain unclear as Priyanka awaits responses to several RTI queries filed across various government offices to track the actions taken in her son’s case. Refusing to be silenced by an oppressive system that often disregards the voices of marginalized communities, Priyanka remains resolute in her pursuit of justice.

Her son’s case has given a new purpose to Priyanka. She realized that her fight isn’t just for her son but for a larger cause. “I should not only fight for my son but also put an end to such practices. I urge the authorities, both central and state agencies, to pass orders mandating that schools should have dedicated cleaning staff for doing menial jobs. Children cannot be forced into such work,” she asserted, highlighting the ongoing need to protect children’s rights and dignity in educational settings.

“Had the school taken action on the first day of my complaint, this situation would never have escalated,” she says. “Instead, they chose to shield the teacher. I dont know how many children would be enduring such plights in school, child labour has to be stopped. Schools cannot make the children do the cleaning jobs. ”

Fighting this caste discrimination case has placed an additional financial strain on her family. Priyanka, a daily wage worker, has barely managed to attend work for 10 days this month, leaving her worried about covering expenses in the coming month with a reduced salary. Her husband, Sijoy, who resumed work just a year ago after battling severe allergic issues, earns ?1,000 per day when work is available. However, holidays, strikes, and other disruptions often limit his working days.

Priyanka’s 12-year-old daughter, Diya, studies in Class 7 at a private school in Kottayam. “My mother, who works as a domestic help, is the one who pays for Diya’s hostel and school expenses every month,” Priyanka explains. The family’s only relief comes from the subsidized rations provided under Kerala’s Public Distribution System (PDS).

“We survive somehow, but it becomes extremely difficult during medical emergencies or hospitalizations,” Priyanka says, her voice breaking. She suffers from arthritis and often skips medication due to financial constraints. To cope with urgent needs, she has turned to mobile loan apps. “I’ve already taken a debt of ?35,000. I don’t know how long we can sustain this fight, but I will do whatever it takes for my son,” she says with determination.

Priyanka Soman emphasizes the need for central and state agencies to mandate dedicated cleaning staff in all schools, ensuring children are never forced into menial tasks.

“Indian casteist society invariably mocks constitution, child rights, human dignity! In SC/ST Atrocities cases, police and administration invariably put the onus of proving caste discrimination on victims. Their investigation focuses on how to disprove caste as a reason of discrimination instead of ensuring social justice and punishing casteist criminals!” says Dr Rehna Raveendran, an anti-caste activist and assistant professor at Allahabad University, who has been the strongest pillar of support to Priyanka since this issue emerged.

Rehna also says, that many cases of caste violence against Dalit children in minority run educational institutions in Kerala go unreported due to the lack of grievance redressal mechanism and fear of harrasment by management.

“Divided on the basis of sub-caste lines and political affiliation, Dalit organizations in Kerala often fail to articulate the interests and address the issues of the community. Internal conflicts and lack of Dalit women leadership are other constraints. Time has come for an introspection!” adds Dr Raveendran.

The Mooknayak’s efforts to obtain responses from School Principal Soosamma Joseph, Idukki Collector V. Vigneshwari and education authorities were met with silence.

What Does the NCPCR Manual on ‘Safety and Security of Children in Schools’ Say?

The NCPCR manual is a compilation of twenty two existing and approved manuals/guidelines developed by various agencies, pertaining to the safety and security of children in schools and in school premises.

The manual lays special importance to “School Safety” which has been defined as creating safe environment for children, starting from their homes to their schools and back. This includes safety from any kind of abuse, violence, psycho-social issue, disaster: natural and manmade, fire, transportation.Emotional safety is especially important because it is often difficult for teachers and parents to detectemotional problems and difficulties in children.

The manual is divided into five main sections vis-à-vis various aspects related to the safety and security of children in school; (1) Infrastructure (2) Health and Hygiene (3) Psycho-Social Aspects (4) Roles and Responsibilities of Teachers and (5) Monitoring.

The manual categorically explains the significance of psycho social aspects: A chronic pattern of psycho-social maltreatment destroys a child’s sense of self and personal safety. Corporal punishment amounts to abuse and militates against the freedom and dignity of a child. It also interferes with a child’s right to education because fear of corporal punishment makes children more likely to avoid school or to drop out altogether. Hence, corporal punishment is violative of the right to life with dignity. Same is the case of violence among peers and groups of children that inflict physical as well as psychological fears and scars in children.

The NCPCR manual says, ” The school shall prohibit all persons and authorities of the school from harassing or victimizing any child belong to weaker section and disadvantaged group” .

The manual specifically mentions:

“Discrimination” understood as prejudiced views and behaviour towards any child because of her/his caste/gender, occupation or region and non-payment of fees or for being a student admitted under the 25% reservation to disadvantaged groups or weaker sections of society under the RTE, 2009. It can be latent; manifest; open or subtle.

It includes but is not restricted to the following:

1. Bringing social attitudes and prejudices of the community into the school by using belittling remarks against a specific social group or gender or ability/disability;
2. Assigning different duties and seating in schools based on caste, community or gender prejudices (for example, cleaning of toilets assigned by caste; task of making tea assigned by gender); admission through 25% reserved seats under the RTE; or non-payment of any prescribed fees;

III. Commenting on academic ability based on caste or community prejudices;

1. Denying mid-day meal or library books or uniforms or sports facilities to a child or group of children based on caste, community, religion or gender;
2. Deliberate/wanton neglect.

Scheduled Protest: Dalit Protection Committee Leads the Charge

On December 29, the Dalit Protection Committee will lead a protest at Kuthunkal City from 4 PM to 8 PM, demanding justice for Pranav. They call for the arrest of the teacher under non-bailable sections of the Juvenile Justice Act and the SC/ST Atrocities Act. Cheramar-Sambavar Development Society (CSDS) President K.K. Suresh will inaugurate the event, and Advocate P.O. John will deliver the keynote address. Representatives from Bhim Army, the National Dalit Liberation Front, and other organizations will participate, lending their voices to the cause.

“This is not just about my son; it’s about dignity and justice for all Dalit children,” Priyanka asserts. She emerges as a symbol of resilience, fighting against a powerful lobby and systemic oppression to secure her son’s future.

Courtesy : The Mooknayak

Note: This news is originally published on themooknayak.com and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially for human rights.