You are the Sarpanch of a Panchayat. There is a primary school run by the government in your area. Midday meals are provided to the children attending the school. The Headmaster has now appointed a new cook in the school to prepare the meals. However, when it is found that the cook is from Dalit community, almost half of the children belonging to higher castes are not allowed to take meals by their parents. Consequently the attendance in the school falls sharply. This could result in the possibility of discontinuation of midday meal scheme, thereafter of teaching staff and subsequent closing down the school.1) Discuss some feasible strategies to overcome the conflict and to create right ambience.2) What should be the responsibilities of different social segments and agencies to create positive social ambience for accepting such changes?
What the examiner wants
As Sarpanch, overcome caste-based boycott of a Dalit cook's midday meal and build social acceptance.
Demand-wise check
- 1Stakeholders: Dalit cook, children, parents, teachers, panchayat, education department≈50 words
- 2Ethical issues: untouchability, children's right to food and education, dignity of the cook, rule of law≈50 words
- 3(a) Strategies: do not remove the cook; dialogue with parents; Sarpanch and officials eat with children; awareness on health and law; involve SMC and SHGs; act under law if boycott persists≈50 words
- 4(b) Responsibilities: parents and community leaders, teachers, religious leaders, media, NGOs, district administration and police≈50 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Where marks usually go
- Replacing the cook to restore attendance
- No roles for parents, teachers, SMC, district administration, police and media
Draw this
- Table: stakeholder (parents, teachers, SMC, religious leaders, media, district administration) → responsibility
Value addition
- LawArticle 17 abolishes untouchability; the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 punishes its practice.Constitution; PCR Act 1955
- ExampleIn Champawat, Uttarakhand (2021), upper-caste students boycotted a Dalit cook's midday meals and her appointment was cancelled, drawing official inquiry and wide criticism.2021
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 39 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 39 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 37 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 33 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 14 minutes, then get it checked.