Telangana Official’s Comments on Dalit Students Cleaning Duties Spark Political Row
GG News Bureau
Hyderabad, 2nd May: Controversy has erupted after Telangana government official Alagu Varsini’s remarks about Dalit students at state-run gurukuls and hostels being made to do chores, including cleaning toilets and cooking, drew sharp criticism. Opposition party Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has demanded her immediate transfer, while the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued a notice seeking details on the “derogatory” comments.
The NCSC on Monday sent notices to Telangana Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and Police Director-General Dr. Jitender, asking for explanations within 15 days. Varsini’s predecessor, Praveen Kumar, also demanded her removal, sarcastically suggesting she should first “teach the Chief Minister and his family holistic habits.”
BRS leader K Kavitha condemned Varsini’s statements, alleging they perpetuate discrimination against Dalit children by forcing them into menial chores instead of receiving proper education. Kavitha accused the current Congress government of cutting grants that previously funded temporary cleaning staff in schools, forcing students to manage these tasks themselves. She called the official’s remarks “discriminatory, exploitative,” and reflective of an “anti-poor and anti-Dalit” stance by the Revanth Reddy administration.
The controversy began after an audio clip emerged with Varsini asserting that holistic education includes teaching sanitation and personal hygiene. She defended her comments in an interview with NDTV, emphasizing the importance of imparting life skills alongside academics to children aged 10 to 18.
Varsini also claimed her speech was selectively edited to create controversy. Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress has rejected the opposition’s claims, accusing the BRS of politicizing the issue and undermining state development. Congress MP Mallu Ravi said he disagreed with students being made to clean but was unsure if such practices were occurring, adding the focus should remain on students’ academic progress.
