Badaun (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 31 (IANS): A barber has been booked under the provisions of the SC/ST Act for refusing to give a haircut to a Dalit youth in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun district.

The matter came to light when a video clip went viral showing the barber turning away the youth for the caste he belonged to.

The barber in Kariamai village can be heard saying that he would rather shut his shop than give the youth a haircut.

Bilsi circle officer (CO), Anirudh Singh, said "After talking to local people, we learnt that the barber was known to turn away customers belonging to the Dalit community. This is unacceptable."

The barber is now absconding.

Bablu, who filmed the incident, said that when he heard that the barber was known to insult Dalits who asked him for a haircut, he decided to make the video and use it as proof.

The barber has been running his shop for the past 15 years and, according to Bablu, refuses to entertain any Dalit customer.

The circle officer said that the video clip is a crucial evidence and has been sent for forensic examination.