Salons in Koliwad village, Hubli taluk, India, reopened on Wednesday evening after a month-long closure due to caste conflict. The reopening followed assurances from village elders to government officials that the issue would be resolved.
The reopening ceremony included the presence of Hubli tahsildar H.D. Nagavi, Navalgund MLA N.H. Konaraddi, village elders, Dalit leaders, and members of the Savita Samaj. The village elders convinced members of the Savita Samaj to provide services to Dalits.
Previously, Dalits were forced to travel at least 10 km for haircuts as village salons only served upper-caste and other backward classes. When Dalit youth demanded services in the village, all salons shut down.
Both Mr. Nagavi and Mr. Konaraddi thanked the village residents for resolving the issue amicably. They confirmed that salons would operate normally and serve all community members.
Dyamanna Koliwad at his hair cutting salon which was reopened in Koliwad.
The long wait for a haircut by the Dalits of Koliwad village in Hubli taluk ended on Wednesday evening with salons, which had remained closed for a month because of caste conflict, getting reopened.
Dyamanna Koliwad’s salon was opened in the presence of Hubli tahsildar H.D. Nagavi, Navalgund MLA N.H. Konaraddi, elders of the village, Dalit leaders, and members of the Savita Samaj.
Sources said that during the visit of government officials to Koliwad, the village elders assured them of sorting out the problem within two days and subsequently they decided to “convince” Savita Samaj members to give haircut to Dalits in the village.
Earlier, Mr. Nagavi addressed the village residents and thanked the elders for sorting out the problem amicably without giving room for any disturbance.
Concurring with him, Mr. Konaraddi thanked the village residents for sorting out the problem amicably. He said the village elders had assured him that from Thursday, salons would function according to the stipulated timings and offer service to members of all the communities.
While salons in Koliwad were offering service to the upper caste and other backward classes, Dalits were forced to travel a minimum of 10 km for a haircut. When a few Dalit youths demanded haircut in the village, all salons in Koliwad were shut down a month ago.
Published - August 14, 2014 02:14 am IST
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