Electricity, Water Supply In Odisha Village Cut, Residents Say "Caste Bias"

Residents of a Dalit settlement in Balangir, Odisha, have reported a disruption in electricity and water supply, claiming that caste discrimination is the underlying cause. The affected community has expressed frustration over what they perceive as systemic bias against them, which they believe has led to the cessation of essential services. Local officials have yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for the outages, exacerbating tensions in the village. This incident sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in India, where caste-based discrimination continues to influence access to basic amenities. Activists and social workers are calling for immediate action to restore services and address the systemic issues contributing to this inequality. The situation has raised questions about the effectiveness of existing policies aimed at protecting the rights of disadvantaged groups, highlighting the need for greater accountability and social reforms in rural areas of the state.