Bangalore- While Bangalore is renowned for its corporate hub, with glass-sheathed buildings and high-rises, a different reality unfolds in its rural areas, where paradoxes persist.

In a disturbing incident of untouchability, a barber declined to provide haircuts to individuals from the Scheduled Castes (SC). Social welfare department officials, accompanied by police, intervened in the village to address the issue. Eventually, a Dalit youth received a haircut in the presence of officials, resolving the matter.

The incident occurred in Kadnoor village of the Doddaballapur block in Rural Bangalore. Allegedly, a local hairdresser refused service to Dalits, prompting backlash from leaders of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti. Members of the samiti organized a protest march and engaged with Social Welfare department officials to address the discrimination. The situation was resolved following the haircut given to a Dalit youth.

Ramu Neelaghatta, the block leader of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, expressed to The Mooknayak, "We have put an end to this inhumane practice by facilitating the haircut. Despite living in the 21st Century, the persistence of untouchability is a glaring irony in our society. We must transcend feelings of superiority and inferiority and embrace humanity. The samiti remains committed to combating such regressive traditions."

M.P. Gangadhar, the district convener of the Samiti, conveyed to The Mooknayak, "During our visits to Dalit households in the region, we uncovered this issue. It is shameful that caste discrimination persists today. Are we not entitled to the same dignity as others? Why must we endure such treatment? The lofty ideals espoused from podiums must translate into action. Wasn't Baba Saheb Ambedkar's vision meant to eradicate such practices? This behavior must change, and our struggle will persist."

Imposition of Rs 50,000 Fine in 2020

In November 2020, a salon owner in Hullare village, Mysore, was fined Rs 50,000 for providing haircuts to Dalits. Mallikarjun Shetty, the owner, and his family faced social ostracism for serving individuals from the Dalit and Backward communities. Mallikarjun recounted being assaulted, threatened, and extorted of Rs 5,000 when he voiced his grievances. The rural police of Nanjangud town in Mysuru district intervened and mediated a resolution between the parties. It is noteworthy that Mysuru, another bustling IT city of Karnataka, hosts training centers for companies like Infosys.

Story Translated by Pratikshit Singh

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