Dalits accuse upper caste villagers of discrimination
Mandya: Some Dalits of Valagerhalli, a village in Maddur taluk, have accused upper caste members of their village of practising untouchability.
The Dalits have also demanded protection from the upper caste villagers, who have “categorically denied” the charges and instead accused the former of misusing the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
According to the Dalits, barbers in their village have been refusing to serve them for 20 years. Recently, they approached the police seeking issuance of instructions to the barbers. Subsequently, Inspector General of Police, Southern Range, Vipul Kumar, Mandya Superintendent of Police G. Radhika and other officials visited the village on Wednesday.
A conciliation meeting was held to sort out the issue. While the Dalits continue to stick to their demands, the upper caste villagers dismissed the claims. The officials advised the villagers to live in harmony and warned them of action if they violated the law.
Source: The Hindu
