Tumakuru, May 4 (DHNS): While the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the State keeps chanting social justice and equality mantra, untouchability is still a way of life in Law and Parliamentary Minister T B Jayachandra’s native village.

Dalits are not allowed to enter into the hotels at Timmanahalli under Kandikere hobli of Chikkanayakanahalli taluk. The incident came to light on Saturday when an under graduate student belonging to dalit community went to buy snacks was made to sit outside.

After learning of incident, Kannada lecturer Murthy Timmanahalli, joined by a few dalit leaders, lodged a complaint with CN Halli police in this regard.

“Initially, the police didn’t entertain the complaint. After we brought this to the notice of Additional SP, the station in-charge accepted the complaint,” said Kotta Shankar, a lecturer and a resident of Timmanahalli.

The CN Halli police told the hotel owners to allow members belonging to dalit community enter the hotel and remove separate seating arrangements made for the dalits.

The complainants withdrew their complaint after the hotel owners assured them that they would do away with the age- old practice.

“Untouchability in one form or the other is still prevalent here (Timmenahalli). A few saloons in the village refuse to give a haircut to dalits. Also, dalits are denied entry into the temples in the village,” Murthy Timmanahalli complained.

He urged the authorities concerned to take steps to eradicate the practice of untouchability.

Circle Police Inspector Jayakumar told Deccan Herald: “There is no need to hold a peace meeting. The hotel owners have assured that they would remove separate seating arrangement for dalits. We will create awareness about the social evil among the public during the monthly meetings.

“The incidents of saloons refusing haircut to dalits have not come to our notice,” he said.