According to reports, people boycotted an anganwadi centre following the hiring of a 23-year-old graduate, Sarmistha Sethi, as a helper-cum-cook from the Scheduled Caste community in the Kendrapara district of Odisha. The majority of parents denied cooked meals and rations, which caused a substantial decline in attendance.
Nevertheless, the issue has been resolved as Baijayant Panda, the National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also played a key part in it. He went to the anganwadi centre in Nuagaon under the Ghadiamala gram panchayat of Rajnagar block. The local MP, who is also a Brahmi,n was accompanied by his team, and Sethi provided meals to the entire delegation, conveying a powerful and symbolic message to the people.
On 15th February (Sunday), Panda posted about the development on social media with a video of his visit where he is seen conversing with the young woman and other employees, as well as enjoying a meal served by her. He referred to the motive behind the move as “focused on strengthening grassroots welfare delivery.”
He added, “Reviewed the facilities & spent time interacting with the dedicated staff, shared a meal with local leaders and community members, and gained valuable firsthand insights into their tireless efforts and the heart of community participation. Proud to support our anganwadi workers in ensuring every child gets the best start.”
Focused on strengthening grassroots welfare delivery, visited the Anganwadi Centre in Nuagaon, Rajnagar. Reviewed the facilities & spent time interacting with the dedicated staff, shared a meal with local leaders and community members, and gained valuable firsthand insights into… pic.twitter.com/7MTO3N0SgW
— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) February 15, 2026
On 14th February (Saturday), the district administration declared that the issue had been handled through talks. Kendrapara district sub-collector Arun Nayak expressed that it was settled amicably. The villagers agreed to start sending their kids to the centre from 16th February (Monday).
“Final talks with upper-caste residents, who had stopped sending their children to the centre since 21st November were held in the presence of stakeholders, including members of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Odisha State Commission for Women. The officials sensitised villagers on the abolition of age-old caste practices,” he emphasised.
More than 150 residents attended the meeting at the center which was a significant departure from a similar meeting which was conducted earlier and witnessed only two people. In addition to police officers and activists, additional district magistrate Nabakrushna Jena, sub-collector Arun Nayak and member of the state women’s commission Kalpana Mallick attended the meeting.
A community feast was also hosted which was prepared by Sethi. Locals indicated a desire to reinstate anganwadi services following door-to-door campaign by officials. The administration hired local artists including Pala (folk) singers to perform street plays in the area to raise awareness about caste inequality. These initiatives made the villagers more cognisant of the socioeconomic repercussions of the worker’s boycott.
“The Anganwadi centre will function normally as parents have consented to send their children,” outlined Sujata Nayak of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Background of the issue
Sethi was hired by the authorities approximately four months ago as an anganwadi assistant. Afterward, the village committee objected to her appointment and decided not to send kids to the centre. The riverbank community is home to about 45 households, including seven Dalit families. Locals told anganwadi worker Lizarani Pandav that Sethi would not cook food for their kids. It was also alleged that the leader of the village committee told families including the Dalits not to send their children to the institution.
Notably, the Ghadiamala panchayat’s sarpanch, Sailendra Mishra, mentioned that they had persuaded the village chief and others to send the youngsters to the centre. Lizarani asserted to have notified the Rajnagar block’s chief development project officer (CDPO) who gave her the assurance that individuals stopping pregnant women and children from going there would be subjected to action.
“Action will be taken against those who barred children and others from attending the centre on the pretext of a dalit girl’s appointment. We are also trying to resolve the matter amicably,” warned Kendrapada district collector Raghuram R Iyer. He asked for a thorough report from the district social welfare officer. The matter had also reached Parliament.
