A funeral in Chinnapur ST village, Ilkal taluk, Karnataka, was overshadowed by allegations of untouchability, sparking outrage in the region. The deceased, Hanumantappa Harijan, 55, was a retired army serviceman who had served for 20 years.
Relatives from another village, who had come to pay their respects, alleged that local shops and hotels closed their doors upon learning that Dalits were visiting the area. The incident reportedly began when a shopkeeper refused to take back a soft drink bottle and subsequently closed his shop for lunch.
The matter has drawn the attention of local authorities, with Ilkal Tahsildar Amarish Pammar and police officials visiting the village to investigate. A peace meeting has been scheduled for March 2 to address tensions and prevent further conflict.
Government Steps In to Ensure Equal Access
In a related move to address caste-based discrimination, the government recently opened a barber shop in Shingatalaur village after upper-caste barbers refused to serve Dalits. The decision followed public outcry and media reports highlighting the issue.
The inauguration was attended by officials from the Social Welfare Department, taluk administration, taluk panchayat, Dalit organisations, and the Shivasharan Hadapad Appanna Society. The barber shop is being managed by Basavaraj Hadapad, a resident of nearby Tippapur village.
Previously, Dalits in the area were forced to travel to neighboring towns for haircuts, as local barbers from upper-caste communities refused service, citing the Veerabhadreshwara temple’s pallakki (palanquin) visits to Hadapad households as a reason.
