An incident of untouchability in a village in Raichur district has led to the registration of an FIR against a person accused of allegedly treating a Dalit man differently at a hotel. The victim was in the vicinity of Echanal Hotel in Lingasugur taluk, and a Dalit man was allegedly discriminated against for food and drinking at a hotel where he was having food and water.
According to the complaint, Mariyappa Kattimani, a resident of the area, had visited the hotel for a meal. During the visit, he was not served water in the same manner as other customers, he said. Water from a jug was poured from above for him to drink, instead of in a glass or through the usual way.
The incident raised doubts as to whether caste-based discrimination is practiced in a public eating institution.
Alleged discriminatory treatment at hotel
According to the complaint, other customers at the hotel were served food using regular steel plates, while Mariyappa was given a disposable, single-use plate because he belongs to a Scheduled Caste community.
The complaint alleges that the discriminatory treatment continued after Mariyappa had finished his tiffin. When he asked for drinking water, it was poured from above rather than served to him normally.
Such alleged practices have raised concerns about the continuation of caste-based untouchability despite legal safeguards against discrimination.
The incident occurred in Echanal village of Lingasugur taluk in Raichur district.
FIR registered under SC/ST protection law
After the complaint, an FIR was registered at the Lingasugur Police Station against Shivappa, son of Sharanappa Hadapad.
The case has been registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities and Discrimination against members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
The complaint asks for action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, commonly known as the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The allegations will be examined by the police. The case will be investigated, the complainant and other witnesses will be interviewed, and relevant evidence will be collected.
There is a case of untouchability that we have to face.
The incident has brought back again the issue of caste-based discrimination in rural areas. The practice of untouchability is prohibited by the Indian Constitution and various laws provide legal protection to members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from discrimination and atrocities.
Public places like hotels and restaurants are supposed to provide services without discrimination based on caste. So any alleged discriminatory practice may draw legal scrutiny.
The complaint in the Raichur case specifically claims that Mariyappa was treated differently from other customers in the way food and drinking water were given to him.
Although the allegations have resulted in an FIR, the charges are still allegations at this point. The police investigation will establish the facts and decide what action is warranted under the law.
Police investigation underway
The Lingasugur police have registered the case against Shivappa and are expected to investigate the allegations. Statements from Mariyappa and other people who may have seen the incident could be taken into consideration.
Because the alleged discriminatory treatment took place at a hotel accessible to the public, the case has drawn attention. Dalit people were treated differently, the complaint alleges, with the use of a disposable plate and drinking water from above.
Authorities, as well as the law, will investigate whether the alleged conduct is an offence under the scope of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other laws.
The incident in Echanal village has revived the discussion on removing caste-based discrimination and ensuring equal treatment for all people in public places.
