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“I americium successful agony for years. Recently my younger member died. I could not spell to wage my past respects. When I die, nary of them tin travel either,” said 75-year-old Ganapathiyappa, a nonmigratory of Duguru successful Sorab taluk. He was sharing the experiences helium had suffered pursuing the societal boycott imposed connected his family.
“Of course, the boycott does not restrict sunlight oregon rain, but I person not been capable to talk to my adjacent relatives and friends for years,” helium says, teary-eyed.
Many residents successful respective villages successful Sorab taluk person been victims of societal boycott imposed by the unofficial colony committee consisting of almighty people. In this pocket, it is mostly those belonging to the Deevaru (Ediga) caste, successful astir cases those imposing and suffering boycott being from the aforesaid community. Besides, families belonging to the Scheduled Caste and different backward classes are besides suffering owing to this practice.
The committee, according to the affected people, resolves to enforce a societal boycott for assorted reasons. “The families that spell against the volition of the committee are apt to look the boycott. Similarly, those who enactment specified radical besides look the aforesaid order,” said Manjappa Naik, a nonmigratory of Barige, whose household is besides facing boycott.
Cases galore
Valliyamma’s family, a Scheduled Caste household astatine Ulavi-Pathresalu village, was boycotted due to the fact that she went to tribunal to assertion a portion of onshore granted to her agelong ago. Praveen Kumar’s household successful the aforesaid colony was boycotted due to the fact that helium approached the constabulary pursuing a clash with neighbours. His neighbour Prema Kumari’s household was besides boycotted due to the fact that it continued to pass with Praveen’s family.
Parashuram, a carpenter astatine Gudavi village, was subjected to boycott due to the fact that helium filed a constabulary ailment aft helium and his household members were allegedly harassed by a fewer radical successful the village. Ganeshappa of B. Holekatte colony was boycotted arsenic helium moved tribunal to assertion the onshore that helium had been cultivating, against the wishes of the colony committee.
Complaints unheard
These villagers person complained to the officers and elected representatives, including Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa, who represents Sorab successful the Assembly. Members of astir 20 families staged a protestation successful beforehand of the Deputy Commissioner’s bureau successful Shivamogga, appealing to the medication to extremity their trauma.
The officers thin to enactment erstwhile the household affected belongs to the Scheduled Caste, arsenic the offence is treated arsenic a caste atrocity. However, successful the lawsuit of others, determination has been hardly immoderate action. “When officers clasp meetings successful the village, a bulk of the radical talk successful favour of the colony committees, ignoring the plight of boycotted minorities,” said Mr. Ganapathiyappa.
The families boycotted are not allowed to bash concern successful the village. Shopkeepers bash not entertain them. Barbers contradict them services. “My lad could not be the Anganwadi centre successful the village. Now I person admitted him to a schoolhouse astatine Sorab,” said Ganeshappa of B. Holekatte. Chandrappa of Barige said his girl rides her bicycle to schoolhouse alone, maintaining a region from her classmates who question together.
“In galore cases, daughters are not allowed to spot their parents connected their deathbeds. Whoever violates the diktat is penalised. Interestingly, those who announcement the usurpation and pass the committees are rewarded,” said Mr. Manjappa Naik.
However, Mr. Madhu Bangarappa has denied allegations of societal boycott successful his constituency. “I cognize a fewer radical staged protests alleging it. If determination are immoderate specified cases, the instrumentality should instrumentality its course. I person instructed the Deputy Commissioner to suitable action,” helium said.
Hope successful law
The families are hopeful that the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025, that has been passed by some the Houses of Karnataka Legislature successful the Belagavi league successful December, 2025, volition bring alleviation to them soon. The Bill got the assent of the Governor earlier this week.
“Our children person been denied societal life. They cannot play with our neighbours and relatives. We are praying for a peaceful co-existence,” said Ms. Valliyamma.
