Dalit family’s home boycotted for food, minister breaks barrier by dining with them
Raisen (The Uttam Hindu): When the issue of social boycott of those who ate at a Dalit family's house in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district gained momentum, a state government minister personally went to the family's doorstep and gave a befitting reply to this evil practice. State Minister of State for Health and local MLA Narendra Shivaji Patel reached Pipariya Punaria village and not only ate with the Dalit family, but also sent a powerful message of social harmony.
In fact, in Piparia Punaria village, Raisen district, an event was held at the home of Santosh Parte, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. Some non-Dalit villagers who had eaten at the event were socially boycotted by some members of the community. When the news reached local MLA and Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel, he immediately took cognizance of the situation.
The very next day after learning of the incident, Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel arrived in the village and went straight to Santosh Parte's house. He sat on the floor and ate with Santosh's family. A video of the incident is also going viral on social media, showing the minister casually eating with the family members.
On this occasion, Minister Patel said that he believes in the principle of 'Integral Humanism' of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, which aims to care for the person standing at the last end of the society.
Meanwhile, Santosh Parte became emotional while serving the minister a meal at his home. He said, "What could be a more proud moment for us than having a state government minister come to our home for a meal." The minister's gesture is being widely praised in the area and is being seen as a strong message against caste discrimination.