HUBBALLI: After a bizarre turn of events at a village in Mundargi taluk of Gadag district, the state government has opened a barber shop to ensure Dalits get a haircut.
Singatalur village now has probably the first such barber shop run by the government. It was inaugurated by the social welfare department.
Local residents said that a barber shop in the village had refused a haircut to a Dalit youth a few weeks ago. As tension escalated, local administration officials reached the village and held peace meetings. But despite their efforts, barbers refused to give haircuts to Dalits. The administration served a notice to the shop and directed it to shut.
On Thursday, the social welfare department opened the new barber shop where Dalits and other villagers can get a haircut. But Dalit activists pointed out that the government cannot go on building barber shops, temples and hotels wherever the entry of Dalits is frowned upon. They demanded strict action against the village barbers and sought that new laws be passed to ensure that Dalits do not face discrimination.
Gadag Social Welfare Department Deputy Director Nanda Hanabatti, inaugurating the shop, urged the people to give up feelings of superiority and inferiority and to live with the noble mindset that all are equal.
Tahsildar PS Erriswamy said that even so many years after Independence and when research is being conducted on the moon, it is unfortunate that untouchability still exists.
Action will be taken for social boycott: Tahsildar
“Refusal to provide barber services and denial of entry into hotels and temples are illegal acts. The Social Welfare Department and district administration are organising awareness programmes to eradicate social evils. If such discriminatory practices are found anywhere, strict legal action will be taken” Tahsildar PS Erriswamy said.
Dalit activist Kariyappa Gudimani said the government opening a dedicated barber shop is a welcome move, but will not fulfill the actual spirit of harmony. “Despite an existing law, many villages in North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka practice untouchability. The problem has been persisting in Gadag and Koppal districts for a long time. Dalits should be able to enter any temple, barber shop or hotel without being stopped. They face indiscrimination even when they go to provision stores in villages. Will the government open a shop for them,” he asked.