In a yet another shameful incident reported from Kerala which is renowned as the Indian state with highest literacy rate, a hair cutting saloon has been shut in a village in Idukki district for not letting people from lower-class cut their hair or shave. The action is following the complaint received by Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development and local panchayat, reports Asianet news.
As per reports, there has been severe caste discrimination here for ages, however, it is only in recent times ‘odd voices’ started protesting on the issue. The barbershop discriminated against those who migrated from Tamil Nadu and lived close to the forest. Surprisingly, so far no one was able to come up with a sustainable solution for the same.
However, the issue came to light when the new generation came to the panchayat with a complaint. Subsequently, the Scheduled Caste Welfare Committee and others intervened in the matter. The panchayat said it had decided to close the barbershop, which was currently operating with caste discrimination among the people.
Though Kerala has been hailed a progressive state, caste and religion continue to create barriers around the common man laying restrictions on personal freedom. Though there were not many cases of honour killing in the state, inter-caste and inter-religious marriages continue to invite the wrath of society.
Dalits in the state still face discrimination from the affluent classes.
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