Daijiworld Media Network - Tumakuru (SP)

Tumakuru, Sep 17: A Narayanaswamy, former minister for social welfare and Chitradurga MP, was denied entry into Pemmanahalli Gollarahatti hamlet because he happens to be a dalit. This shameful incident happened on Monday September 16. Pemmanahalli Gollarahatti is situated in Pavagada taluk of Tumakuru district.

Narayanaswamy had accompanied a team of officials from Biocon Ltd Bengaluru and Narayana Hrudayalaya to Pavagada town. The officials and the MP inspected dilapidated school buildings and Rangasamudra school in Pavagada before proceeding to Pemmanahalli Gollarahatti. At the entry to the hamlet, locals, Chikkayya, Nagaraju, Doddayya and some other youngsters and women stopped Narayanaswamy and said that people belonging to Madiga community cannot enter the area.

A Narayanaswamy

The MP peacefully spoke to the villagers and tried to convince them to let go of this evil practice. But the people were stubborn. They put forth demand for drinking water and housing facility in their hamlet but did not allow him to enter the hamlet. Narayanaswamy told the people that 80 percent of the Golla community members had voted for him and that he is committed to improve their standard of living. The MP, who waited there for 45 minutes, had to return. The police who were present, seemed to be helpless. Some BJP leaders tried to drive home the point that untouchability is not permissible but the people of the hamlet remained adamant.

Chinnayya, a local, said that the practice of not allowing Harijans to enter the hamlet has been existent since hundreds of years.