All section Close
Credits: TOI
Dalits Denied Entry To Barbershops, Community Members Raise Voice Over Caste Based Discrimination
Writer: Devyani Madaik
A media enthusiast, Devyani believes in learning on the job and there is nothing off limits when it comes to work. Writing is her passion and she is always ready for a debate as well.
Kerala, 4 Sep 2020 11:42 AM GMT | Updated 4 Sep 2020 12:02 PM GMT
Editor : Shubhendu Deshmukh |
Shubhendu, the quint essential news junky, the man who loves science and politics in equal measure and offers the complete contrast to it by being a fan of urdu poetry as well.
Creatives : Rajath
A free spirit who find meaning in life with the virtue of creativity and doing job par its excellence, animal lover and traveller by heart.
The members of the community mostly cut each other's hair because the barbers refuse to allow them into their shops. The dominant caste members also prohibit them from entering their houses or even premises.
Over 270 families belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) Chakkiliyan community in the Vattavada panchayat in interior Idukki district of Kerala are barred from availing the services of the barbershops.
After facing such ostracism by the dominant caste communities continuously, the members of the community approached and petitioned the local panchayat, The News Minute reported.
These people cover a distance of 42 km to Munnar or 12 km to Ellapetty to get a haircut.
The Chakkiliyan families reside in the Kottakamboor, Vattavada and Koviloor villages coming under the Vattavada panchayat of Idukki district. Apart from them, 2,000 families of the dominant castes also reside in the same area.
One of the members of the Chakkiliyan community in Vattavada, R Balan told the media that the members of the community mostly cut each other's hair because the barbers refuse to allow them into their shops.
He further said that dominant caste members prohibit them from entering their houses or even premises. There are no problems when it comes to purchasing goods from shops. The practise of untouchability has been at par from the very beginning in the area.
Speaking to TNM, President of the Vattavada panchayat, P Ramaraju said the authorities have held discussions on various occasions with the dominant caste members about doing away with the practice. However, the situation has not changed.
He further said that the panchayat has now constructed a common barbershop. This development is the result of an agreement with a barber from Kanthalloor agreeing to provide his services to all communities. The expenses for the functioning of the shop will be met by the panchayat.
Also Read: Donald Trump Calls WWI Fallen US Marines 'Losers' And 'Suckers': Report
Must Reads
We are an independent and public-spirited digital media platform for Indian millennials. We report news and issues that matter as well as give you the opportunity to take action.
