Dalits face boycott for refusal to beat drums

MYSORE: Dalit families in Kasuvanahalli village of Nagamangala taluk who demanded money to beat drums during the Ganesha idol immersion have been socially boycotted. Upper caste members had approached two Dalits, Shivaraj and Seetharam, to play drums during the Ganesha idol immersion procession.When they demanded Rs150 per person as wages, they were summoned near Mayamma temple by the village headmen and abused. When they further refused to play the drums, village headman Mudde Gowda, Parigowda and others abused their caste. They were forced to fetch water from a borewell were cattle are fed.The Dalit families were denied entry into the village. In fact, Dalit women have been removed from the self-help groups and humiliated constantly.As there was no electricity, the Dalit women had to collect water from a tank only to be threatened by upper caste youths that they would be paraded in nude.Meanwhile, MLA Suresh Gowda, who hails from Kasuvanahalli, held a meeting with the two groups and appealed to them to bury their differences. Shivaraj and Mayanna lodged a complaint with Nagamanagala town police station, charging that they fear for their lives and property. Shivaraj told Express that they worked as labourers in Nagamanagala town and were not employed by the upper castes.He added that the panchayat has not given job cards to Dalit families.Mandya SP Kawshalendra Kumar visited the village and deputed DSP Channabathanna to look into the allegations.