A senior government official in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has landed in controversy after allegedly referring to members of the Lodha tribe as “criminals” when one of them approached him for assistance with his daughter’s admission to an Adarsh Vidyalaya.

Kuanra Bhakta, a Lodha man from Kashikundala village under the Udala police station limits, had written to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), alleging that the incident occurred at the office of the Sub-Collector of Kaptipada on March 16, 2026.

He had gone there seeking support for his daughter’s admission to Class VI in an Adarsh Vidyalaya, an ambitious initiative by Odisha government to provide quality education in English medium to the rural children practically at no cost or at best at low cost.

Lodhas are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. As per State ST, SC Development Department’s classification, at one time grouped under the draconian Criminal Tribes Act by the British, the Lodha trace their origins to the Savaras of the Hindu puranas.

“Basically, hunter-gatherers used to rely on the sale of kendu and siali leaf cups and plates, tussar cocoons, resin and honey for a livelihood. Traditionally, breeding of tassar moths and the collection of their cocoons was the main income-generating activity of the Lodha,” says the department.

“I greeted Sub-Collector Sushant Kumar Barik and requested his support for my daughter’s admission, as she had recently appeared for the entrance examination and we belong to a PVTG community. However, he asked why I had not come earlier and whether I had been in jail, adding that Lodha people are always involved in crime,” Bhakta stated in his complaint.

Mr. Bhakta further alleged that the official told him, “You criminals and thieves are meant to be in jail. When I said I am not a criminal, he replied that Lodha people are habitual criminals, that the school is not meant for us, and asked me to leave.”

“This is not an isolated incident. Similar derogatory remarks have been made against me and my community earlier. Due to fear, we could not complain. Even after 79 years of Independence, we are still treated as criminals because of our community. This deeply hurts our dignity,” Mr. Bhakta added.

Taking note of the allegations, the NCST has directed the Mayurbhanj district administration to conduct an inquiry. Accordingly, the Additional District Magistrate recorded Mr. Bhakta’s statement on Tuesday and fixed June 9 as the next date of hearing, directing the Sub-Collector to appear.