Click to play videoBhandara (Maharashtra): It’s been over 50 years since India has gained independence, but division on caste lines still seem to exist in the country.
This was evident when teachers of a primary school in Bhandara district of Maharashtra allegedly sprinkled goumutra (cow urine) in the school premises and on students because the previous headmistress was a Dalit and they wanted to purify the school and the children - most of whom belong to lower castes.
The children were taken to the police station for they were witness to the case of the violation of civil liberties committed on them.
The principal has been suspended after CNN-IBN aired the story, but the students are finding the shocking casteist treatment hard to forget.
"Our principal sprinkled goumutra on SC students and said this is for your well-being," said Sonali Meshram, a student.
"We were told you'll study well after getting purified," added another student Rajat Washnik.
The act and the reason for sprinkling cow urine have obviously angered the parents.
"In the age of science, the principal is a blot on the teachers' reputation," said a parent Arvind Gosani.
But the school authorities refute the very allegation. "This is all false. No one sprinkled anything on students," said a teacher Madhvi Rao.
Angry villagers say the police are going soft on the matter. The authorities concerned have however ensured that strict action will be taken to prevent any repeat of what happened in Bhandara.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.