Dalits of Shagoti village in Gadag district of Karnataka have accused the higher caste members of discrimination and alleged they have been denied entry into temples, lodges and grocery shops.
The Dalit group stated that the authorities held peace conferences with the dominant caste group of the village however didn’t dealer a truce.
Shivappa, a Dalit chief from the village, stated that whereas the villagers agreed to deal with them equally throughout the assembly with officers, discrimination continues.
“I’m a Dalit chief. If we ask for equality, they are saying they received’t give it. The tahsildar and members of the social welfare division visited the village and held a gathering with everybody. The villagers agreed to deal with us higher, however they proceed to ostracise us. Since then, nobody has come to see if issues have improved,” Shivappa stated.
“Our MLA has by no means visited the village. That is unfair. We don’t know tips on how to lead a traditional life. We used to make a residing and feed our households by working within the fields. However now, we don’t know what to do. This has been occurring for 4-5 days,” Shivappa stated.
Shivappa stated that the Dalit group is going through problem with no meals to eat. “We face loads of difficulties. We don’t have meals to eat. There’s not even milk or biscuits to feed our kids. The youngsters preserve crying, and now we have to get from one other village. Even in spite of everything this, no politician has executed something to unravel our points,” he added.
On Thursday, a Dalit couple was denied entry into the temple to conduct the marriage rituals. Sharanappa Madara stated his household needed to carry out the rituals outdoors the temple.
Yogesh Hanumappa, a Dalit youth from the village, alleged that the dominant caste individuals “used their clout and management over village assets to socially and economically ostracise the Dalits”.
“There’s loads of discrimination right here. We’ve got requested for justice, however the villagers and elders right here advised us we don’t deserve it. The elders threaten us, saying that they received’t deal with us equally if we carry the regulation into the image. They ask us to remain outdoors the village. Through the assembly held with the taluk panchayat not too long ago, they stated that we might be handled equally and with dignity. However now, they’re subjecting us to extra atrocities once more,” Hanumappa stated.
“Yesterday, they refused to offer us meals on the lodge right here. On the grocery retailer, they stated that if something is given to us, they might be fined ₹2,500. So, we needed to get meals and groceries from one other village. We will’t keep right here. They received’t allow us to dwell peacefully. No chief has come to listen to our points. We request them to go to us and resolve our points,” he added.
In the meantime, Gadag deputy commissioner ML Vaishali stated that the officers have held one spherical of assembly with the villagers and warned of strict motion. “After the incident got here to mild, the ASP, and DySP visited the village and held a gathering with the villagers. Motion is being taken to verify this doesn’t occur once more,” Vaishali stated.
“No case has been registered because the Dalit group has not come ahead to file a criticism. However now we have tried to dealer peace and warned the dominant caste teams of strict motion if that is repeated. We’ve got held one spherical of assembly with individuals from all of the castes. The officers will maintain one other spherical of conferences quickly,” she added.
Can we get quotes from upper-caste group leaders on the difficulty?