Caption: Akhila Karnataka Sri Shivasharana Hadapad Appanna Samaj Seva Sangha has launched 'Kshourikara Nade Dalitara Keriya Kade' (Barbers' move towards Dalits' colonies) campaign to sensitise barbers not to follow untouchability while offering hair cutting services
Hubballi: Repeated instances of denying hair-cutting services for Dalits are often reported. Members of the barbers’ community are helplessly following untouchability, yielding to indirect pressure from upper castes. Now, community heads and seers are launching a state-wide awareness campaign against untouchability. They are holding meetings at taluk level and explaining the legal and social aspects of untouchability. They are also warning that if someone observes untouchability, the community will not come to their help, and it requests the authorities to initiate action against such salons.
Annadana Bharati Appanna Mahaswamiji, Sukshetra Hadapad Appanna Peetha, Tangadagi, said that a campaign titled ‘Kshourikara Nade Dalitara Keriya Kade’ (barbers move towards Dalit colonies) was launched recently. “We started the campaign from our mutt in Tangadagi, and two programmes—one in Karjagi, Haveri district, and another in Chikkenakoppa in Koppal district—have been held already. We first hold a meeting of the barbers’ community and sensitise them about social equality propagated by Basavanna and other Sharanas of the 12th century. Later, we hold an open programme at a Dalit colony, where we invite barbers, Dalits, upper-caste people of the village, and elected representatives of the area. We also educate barbers about legal consequences if untouchability is observed. We are getting a good response from both communities. Many people of upper castes are also joining the campaign,” he explained.
He further said, “We have a plan to take up this campaign across the state, and we do it whenever possible, since we have limited resources.”
Devu Hadapad, state president, Akhila Karnataka Sri Shivasharana Hadapad Appanna Samaj Seva Sangha, Bengaluru, said that barbers are facing indirect pressure and blackmail techniques from upper-caste people in rural areas. “We observe that the Dalit population is 25% while the upper caste is 75% in villages. If we offer our services to Dalits, upper-caste people deny and boycott our services, citing untouchability. This trend is forcing barbers to follow untouchability painfully. A few Barbers were victims of untouchability cases. To put an end to this menace, we launched the campaign ‘Kshourikara nade Dalitara keriya kade’ to build confidence among barbers, Dalits, and all other communities,” he stated.
Krishna Hadapad from Gadag District Savita Samaj said that offering services to everyone, without seeing their social or financial status, is the tradition of Savita Samaj. “If some salons observe untouchability, we will condemn their unconstitutional move. We will invite Savita Samaj’s state functionaries to Gadag and convene a meeting with Dalit and progressive activists to build confidence between barbers and Dalits soon,” he asserted.
Courtesy : TOI
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