Untouchability still exists in Ramnagar: Dalits are prevented from participating in the fair

Karnataka : The evil of untouchability has not ended in the country yet. The caste system is still alive in Ramanagara district and this is another example of it. An incident has come to light in which Dalits of Banavasi village of the taluk were socially boycotted by the upper caste people because they demanded equal opportunity to participate in the village’s Maramma festival. The incident took place in Banavasi village of Harohalli in Kanakapura taluk, about 40 km from Bengaluru. It is said that the upper castes boycotted the Dalits for demanding equal opportunity to participate in the Mada Maramma festival. It is also said that Dangura spread the word in the village that Dalits should not be given grocery items in village shops, milk in dairies, clean drinking water should not be allowed to touch and they should not be called for agricultural work. Those who violate the rules should be fined Rs 10,000. A meeting was held between the leaders of Banavasi, Jattegoudanavalase and Vaderahalli villages regarding the celebration of the festival. Upper caste leaders who attended the meeting had warned that ‘Dalits should not participate in the festival as this practice is going on since long.’ Dalits who objected to this said, ‘This is against the law. Please allow us to participate in the festival with you in harmony.’

Irritated by this, the upper caste people misbehaved with the Dalits in the meeting. Angered by this, the Dalits walked out of the meeting.

After the meeting, upper caste leaders of the three villages socially boycotted 12 Dalit families of Banavasi. Following this, the Dalit leaders brought the matter to the notice of higher officials. Later, social welfare department, police and tehsildar officials held a meeting to resolve the issue. However, the villagers refused to lodge a formal complaint, the official said.