Karnataka: Dalits accuse upper castes of practising untouchability in Gadag village

Bengaluru: Several Dalits in Karnataka’s Gadag have accused the upper caste people in Shyagoti village of practising untouchability. It has been alleged that the shopkeepers, hotels and other establishments were denying service to people from the Dalit community as they would be levied a fine, TV9 Kannada reported.

Videos of the incident were shared by some people from the village. In one of the videos, a Dalit person was denied constantly by a shopkeeper for no particular reason.

The person asked the woman shopkeeper for ration but she kept on denying it. Finally, the person moved away from the shop.

One of the Dalit youths said that despite the Tahsildar’s orders, the upper caste communities still practice untouchability.

“They act differently when the Tahsildar visits the village. However, once he leaves they start to practice untouchability. Recently, we were made to enter a temple by the officials. After this, the upper caste people told other villagers to not welcome us and provide us with any ration or any things,” Sharanappa Karadi said.

“We also have video proof of the incident. We ask the officials to solve this matter and give us justice.”

Another villager, who belonged to upper caste community, claimed that untouchability was not practised in the village and the current problem was caused by some youths.

“The incident happened during the new year celebration when some youths had a misunderstanding. It is an isolated incident. Untouchability was never practised in our village. All of us have been living harmoniously. Our nation is a democracy and everyone has equal rights,” Phakiresh said.

Meanwhile, it was decided to hold another peace meeting under the leadership of the Tahsildar. Till then, the district police have been deployed in the village to prevent any untoward incident.

Courtesy: News9 live

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