(The following article by Raj Jayadev and Chaitanya Vaidya of San Jose is reproduced from the letters column of India Currents to highlight discrimination against Indian Americans.)

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has shut down a popular San Jose preschool for, among other reasons not typically used to shut down a school, a parent bringing snacks to the school for a birthday party. Charulata Vaidya has worked at Tinytown Preschool for more than two decades and has been a recognized partner with Gayle Davis in the ownership of the preschool since 1992.

In 2006, when Gayle Davis sold her share of the preschool to Charu Vaidya, the DSS demanded that Charu apply for a license to operate the preschool.As soon as Charu became sole owner of Tinytown, the DSS took on a "double standard," asking Charu to change the snack menu for the children, which were not required of the prior Liccensee, and requiring her to submit multiple applications and resubmit required documents.

The DSS asked Charu to have several extensive and expensive facility repairs made, which were not required of the prior Licensee. Charu submitted the documents as requested, had all requested repairs made, and changed the menu according to the DSS officials' specifications.Administrative Judge Ralph Venturino has since upheld the license denial of the preschool to Charu, despite her 23 years of experience, dozens of letters of support from parents, and the support of State Assembly member Joe Coto and County Supervisor Pete McHugh.

Meke Potter, District Director to Assembly member Joe Coto, attended Tinytown's most recent administrative hearing: "As a parent of a six-year-old, I have spent time in several preschools in the San Jose area. [I] found the [Tinytown] facility and its recent repairs to be consistent with the other schools I have visited.

This school has far more outside play area than some I had seen."Supervisor McHugh has also written in support of Tinytown: "I strongly recommend that the Community Care Licensing Divison grant [Charu] a license to operate Tinytown Preschool and Daycare.

Our children need more opportunities for education and proper care. Tinytown has operated successfully under a State license for many years [and Charu] has been associated with that successful operation for over 20 years. From a public policy perspective, it does not seem to make sense to close down a facility with such a long track record of success."Charu is an Indian-American immigrant. Parents whose children have attended the preschool and preschool staff contend the license denial is based on racial discrimination.

A group of parents has written to the Department of Community Care Licensing to petition the decision. Supervisor McHugh has written to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as well, asking for his assistance and support. Members of the outraged South Asian community and the Federation of the Indo Americans of Northern Califronia (FIA) have sent a petition to the Department of Social Services.

Charu has spend approximately $72,000 on attorney's fees and spent over $8,000 on facility repairs. Charu has lost her and her family's livelihood and is currently searching for a Civil Rights Attorney who would be able to take on her case on a pro bono or contingency fee basis. Charu can be contacted at 408.926.4695.