Daijiworld Media Network – Kolar (MS)

Kolar, Nov 3: Untouchability is at its peak since many years in Mailandahalli village of Malur in the district. Dalits are not allowed to enter the temple in the village. In the only cutting and shaving salon of the village, upper caste people have pressurized the barber not to cut the hair of Dalits. Two days ago, an act of untouchability made the Dalits to bring the matter to the notice of the administration.

Deepotsava programme was organized in the Marikamba temple of the village a couple of days ago. When the Dalit women went to light lamp for the Goddess, they were not allowed to enter inside.

Temple priest Narayanappa, Krishnappa and some others sent the Dalit women out. When their act was questioned by Dalit Thimmarayappa, they said that as they are of lower caste they are not allowed inside the temple. So Thimmarayappa had a verbal argument with the temple priest and others. Now the Dalits are accusing of practice of untouchability by the upper caste of the village. However, the temple priest and upper caste people say that this tradition is going on for several years.

K Y Nanjegowda, MLA of Malur visited the village on the day the incident came to light. He asked people to practice equality and humanity.

It is also learnt that the only barber in the village is pressurized by upper caste people not to cut the hair and shave the beard of Dalits. Thimmarayappa, a Dalit, said that they have to go all the way to Malur town for getting haircut. They have urged the concerned officers to resolve the issues.