Suo Motu Cognizance by NHRC<br> Discrimination against scheduled castes in four districts of Madhya Pradesh

There were reports in the media on the 5th & 6th May of discrimination against scheduled caste children in four districts of Madhya Pradesh - Jhabua, Sheopur, Katni and Ujjain. The reports also alleged that health workers either did not visit scheduled caste hamlets or examined scheduled caste women without touching them. The Commission took suo motu cognizance of these reports as a serious issue of the violation of the human rights of the scheduled castes, issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, seeking his comments, and decided to send its investigation team to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry.