Bihar CM orders to end caste-based kitchens practised by state police
From our correspondent
When the guardians of law turn violators, it only shows the level of depravity the nation has sunk. Otherwise what else one could say about the caste-based kitchen system being practised by the police in Bihar.
Shocked over the reports of the existence of caste kitchens in several police lines across Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar has directed the home department to end the system forthwith and make arrangement for a common kitchen for all policemen.
This would also put an end to the practice of policemen belonging to different castes enjoying meals in their caste mess. In the state capital and other places, police messes are dotted with caste kitchens. And this practice has been going on for long, right from the days of the British rule. Mishras, Sinhas, Sharmas, Vermas, Yadavs and Paswans would now sit together and eat - a practice unheard of among Bihar policemen till date.
Initially Nitish Kumar was surprised to hear about the caste kitchens. "I am hearing about it for the first time. It is surprising and shocking. I will look into it," he said. Then he acted swiftly. First he sought a reply from the police department to check the veracity of the report. He learnt that not only the "caste kitchens" did exist but the obnoxious practice had been going on in most of the police lines of the state right from the pre-Independence period.
Nitish Kumar ordered to stop the practice at once. "The system is deplorable and it is a source of caste and communal hatred among cops," he said. Well done, Nitish Kumar.
Perhaps this could be only a tip of the iceberg. With the caste system being practised at all levels, it would do well if the Chief Minister moved a step ahead to start a cleansing drive. This should force other states to follow suit. India has to shed this obnoxious practice to emerge as a true world leader.