Known for its large population of Dalits, Kolar district is set to witness a different kind of social reform movement. It employs a traditional event — ‘Grihapravesha’ — to eradicate untouchability, which is rampant in the region.
The Dalits have been facing inhuman social conditions here. Even six decades after Independence, they are not allowed into public places such as temples. In spite of Kolar being a reserved Lok Sabha constituency, it has not been possible to remove the curse of untouchability.
Undivided Kolar witnessed a number of heinous incidents: killing of Dalits by caste Hindus, the Kambalapalli incident being the most horrific among them. Seven people were burnt alive at the village.
Persistent efforts by organisations such as the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) notwithstanding, the curse still continues. The majority of Dalits here are landless farm labourers and workers engaged in cleaning towns and cities.
Of late, a social activities centre, Arivu (meaning awareness), founded by G. Shivappa, a lecturer with Government College for Women in Kolar, has been working on a novel means of creating awareness against untouchability, and making possible the entry of people from other castes into the houses of upper caste people. Titled ‘Grihapravesha’, the programme began with allowing Dalits to enter the house of Tatwapada singer, the late Gattappaswamy, Mr. Shivappa’s father. Hundreds of Dalits from nine villages in Mulbagal taluk entered the house on the occasion of his seventh death anniversary.
Arivu plans to carry out the campaign under the slogan ‘Ellarigoo pravesha, Dalitarigoo pravesha’ (Entry for all, Entry for Dalits too) at different panchayat centres every Sunday, Mr. Shivappa told The Hindu on Thursday.
A special programme is being organised on Friday to coincide with Independence Day celebrations at Hebbani. The Constitution will be taken out in the procession to uphold the secular aspirations of the country.
