Karnataka opens govt barber shop after Dalits denied haircut in Gadag
Karnataka’s Social Welfare Department inaugurated the state’s first government-run barber shop in Gadag district on February 26, weeks after a barber refused to cut the hair of a Dalit customer and others in the village followed suit by shutting their shops. Residents said tensions had been simmering in Shingatalur village after the incident. The barbers, rather than backing down, justified their refusal. They claimed that since the deity Veerabhadreshwara Swamy visits the homes of the Hadapada community during Mahanavami every year, cutting the hair of Dalits during this period would bring misfortune upon them, the Indian Express reported “Every year, the deity visits the homes of the Hadapada community, and the barbers claimed they could not serve Dalits during this period,” a government official said. Also Read Telangana: NHRC seeks report from Nagarkurnool Collector, SP on baby’s death Local administration officials attempted to reason with the barbers, but warni...