Karnataka: Uproar over Dalits not cutting their hair, know what happened next?
The youth got his hair cut in the presence of government officials, Dalit community demanded action against the accused barber shop.
Published on: 21 Feb 2024, 3:18 pm
Bengaluru. A case of untouchability and caste discrimination has come to light in the rural areas of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. In this area, a barber shop operator refused to cut the hair of people from Dalit (Scheduled Caste) community. After getting information about the incident, social welfare and police officials reached the spot. A Dalit youth got his hair cut in the presence of officials, after which the matter was calmed down.
The incident took place in Kadanur village of Doddaballapur taluk in Bengaluru rural area. It is alleged that the hairdresser in Kadanur village refused to cut the hair of Dalits. Leaders of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti protested against this incident. Committee members imposed lockdown and siege. On receiving information about the incident, police and social welfare officers reached the spot. There was a lot of anger among the people. Talks took place between the committee and the officials. During this time, the matter was ended by cutting the hair of a Dalit youth on the spot in the presence of officials.
Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti taluk unit president Ramu Neelaghatta told The Mooknayak – “We have ended this inhuman practice by laying siege to the cutting shop and symbolically cutting the hair of Dalit leaders. Even though we are living in the 21st century , but it is ironical that this untouchability is still alive among us. We forget humanity and live in a feeling of superiority and inferiority. The stupidity that the society is nurturing has to be changed. The committee will always fight against such practices.”
MP Gangadhar, district convenor of the committee, told The Mooknayak – “When we visited the local Dalit houses, we realized the problem here. It is a matter of shame that caste discrimination is still alive in the society. Can we help everyone Are we not human beings? Why is there this attitude? Has the talk of equality talked about on the platforms of programs ended here? Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s wish was limited to words only? This attitude has to be stopped. Our struggle is continuous. “
A fine of Rs 50 thousand was imposed
According to the information, in November 2020, a fine of Rs 50,000 was imposed on the owner of a salon for cutting the hair of a Dalit in Mysore district of Karnataka. Mallikarjun Shetty, who runs a salon in Hallare village of Mysore district, faced social ostracism for his entire family after he cut the hair of Dalits and backward class people. Salon owner Mallikarjun had told that when he complained about this, he was threatened, beaten and even Rs 5,000 was snatched. In this matter, Nanjangud Rural Police had settled the matter after talking to both the parties.
