Insta
No Haircuts For ‘Untouchables’: Dalits In UP Lodge Complain Against Muslim Community Over Caste Discrimination
Image Courtesy: Sabrang
In shocking instance of discrimination, Dalits in Bhojpur in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad district have lodged a complained to local authorties that the members of Salmani Muslim community (also known as Hajjams) refuse to cut the hair of Dalits or give them a shave, IANS reported.
Most Salmanis (Hajjams) are Sunni Muslims and their traditional occupation has been that of a barber and hairdresser
Dalits living in Peepalsana village have handed over a letter to Moradabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amit Pathak saying that the Salmani community continues to treat them as untouchables.
"This has been going on for decades but now we have decided to raise our voice against this practice which amounts to promoting untouchability," IANS quoted Rakesh Kumar, a Dalit from the village as saying.
Rakesh said his father and his forefathers had to travel to Bhojpur or the city for a haircut because "the Salmani community would not touch us".
"Times have changed and we are going to raise our voice against this," he added.
In protest against the complaint to the SSP, the Salmani community kept their shops closed on Friday.
Moradabad SSP Amit Pathak said that he had received the complaint and had ordered an investigation into the matter. "We will take strict action if the allegations are found to be correct," he said.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
