West Bengal rural Dalit children 'deprived of' pre-school education, complementary ICDS food

By Kirity Roy*

In a representation to the Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department Government of West Bengal, I have highlighted a critical issue concerning the children of Boaldah village, located in the Bongaon block of North 24 Pargana district. This situation appears to infringe upon Article 21-A of the Constitution of India and Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, specifically relating to the right to an adequate standard of living.

Boaldah village lies along the Indo-Bangladesh border, approximately one kilometer from the actual border. The residents, primarily landless fishermen belonging to the Bagdi community (Scheduled Caste, semi-tribal, Dalit), have historically depended on fishing for their livelihood.

However, ongoing obstacles and violence from the Border Security Force (BSF) have made fishing increasingly precarious, forcing many to migrate elsewhere. Consequently, the education of local children relies heavily on the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and government-provided schooling, as most families live below the poverty line. Many children also attend ICDS centers primarily for a meal.

In 2003, a single-room ICDS center was established in Boaldah, but its condition has always been alarming, with the roof at risk of collapse and lacking essential windows or doors. For 17 years, the community suffered before the Bongaon Block administration intervened in 2022 following complaints via the MASUM office.

Although repairs were made, there remains no dedicated kitchen space. ICDS is a crucial Indian government welfare initiative aimed at providing food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under six and their mothers. Regrettably, the food component has been severely neglected; it is currently prepared outdoors without proper shelter, exposing it to contaminants and pests.

Moreover, the monsoon season exacerbates cooking challenges, with rain and storms complicating preparations. Despite numerous complaints to the Ghat Bour Gram Panchayat (GP) over the years, no action has been taken. Recently, on 29 August 2024, formal complaints were lodged with the SDO and BDO of Bongaon, yet the villagers have not received any resolution thus far.

In light of these pressing concerns, I have pleaded for investigation into this matter and take essential steps to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the children at the ICDS center, thus upholding their fundamental rights to education and freedom from hunger.

---

*Secretary, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM)

Comments

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Kolkata dialogue flags policy and finance deficit in wetland sustainability

By A Representative Wetlands were the focus of India–Germany climate talks in Kolkata, where experts from government, business, and civil society stressed both their ecological importance and the urgent need for stronger conservation frameworks.

'Fraudulent': Ex-civil servants urge President to halt Odisha tribal land dispossession

By A Representative A collective of 81 retired civil servants from the Constitutional Conduct Group has written to the President of India expressing alarm over what they describe as the wrongful dispossession of tribal lands in Odisha’s Rayagada district. The letter, dated April 19, 2026, highlights violent clashes in Kantamal village where police personnel reportedly injured over 70 tribal residents attempting to protect their community rights.

Dhandhuka violence: Gujarat minority group seeks judicial action, cites targeted arson

By A Representative The Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) Gujarat has written to the Director General of Police seeking judicial action in connection with recent violence in Dhandhuka town of Ahmedabad district, alleging targeted attacks on properties belonging to members of the Muslim community following a fatal altercation between two bike riders on April 18.

Maoist activity in India: Weakening structures, 'shifts' in leadership, strategy and ideology

By Harsh Thakor* Recent statements by government representatives have suggested that Maoism in India has been effectively eliminated, citing the weakening of central leadership and intensified security operations. These claims follow sustained counterinsurgency efforts across key regions, including central and eastern India. However, available information from security agencies and independent observers indicates that while the organizational structure of the CPI (Maoist) has been significantly disrupted, elements of the movement remain active. Reports acknowledge the continued presence of cadres in certain forested regions such as Bastar and parts of Dandakaranya, alongside smaller, decentralized units adapting their operational strategies.

Why link women’s reservation to delimitation? The unspoken political calculus

By Vikas Meshram* April 16, 2026, is likely to be recorded as a special day in the history of Indian democracy. In a three-day special session of Parliament, the central government is set to introduce a comprehensive package of three historic bills: the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Delimitation Bill, 2026; and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The stated purpose of all three is the same: to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Constitutional Amendment) passed in 2023. However, the political intent concealed behind these measures — and their impact on the federal balance — is far more profound. It is absolutely essential to understand this.

From Manesar to Noida: Workers take to streets for bread, media looks away

By Sunil Kumar* Across several states in India, a workers’ movement is gathering momentum. This is not a movement born of luxury or ambition, nor a demand for power-sharing within the state. At its core lies a stark and basic plea: the right to survive with dignity—adequate food, and wages sufficient to afford it.

Catholic union opposes FCRA amendments, warns of threat to Church institutions

By A Representative The All India Catholic Union (AICU) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as growing threats to religious freedom, minority rights, and constitutional safeguards in India, warning that recent policy and legislative trends could undermine the country’s secular and federal framework.

Midnight weeping: The sociology of tragic vision in Badri Narayan’s poetry

By Ravi Ranjan* Badri Narayan, a distinguished Hindi poet and social scientist, occupies a unique position in contemporary Indian intellectual life by bridging the worlds of creative literature and critical social inquiry. His poetic journey began significantly with the 1993 collection 'Saca Sune Hue Kaï Dina Hue' (Truth Heard Many Days Ago). As a social historian and cultural anthropologist, Narayan pioneered a methodological shift away from elite archives toward the oral traditions and folk myths of marginalized communities. He eventually legitimized "folk-ethnography" as a rigorous academic discipline during his tenure as Director of the G.B. Pant Social Science Institute.

Counterview

Search This Blog