The Scheduled Castes of Sigaranahalli in Holenarasipur taluk, here on Monday, staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding entry into the temple and community hall in the village.
The ‘upper castes’ of the village had imposed a fine of Rs. 1,000 on Dalit women for entering a temple recently. Village residents, under the leadership of Thayamma, former gram panchayat member, staged a protest. Thayamma, speaking to presspersons, said the ‘upper caste’ people restricted entry of Dalits into Sri Basaveshwara temple in the village, and the community hall built utilising government funds. The protesters also sought the opportunity to serve as midday meal workers. “We have been denied work as midday meal workers and the reason cited is that Vokkaliga parents will not send their children to school if the cooks are Scheduled Castes,” Ms. Thayamma said. The protesters also submitted a memorandum to Manjula Manasa, chairperson of Karnataka State Women’s Commission, who was in Hassan to attend a programme.
