The Raichur district police registered a case on Wednesday against the owner of a local eatery in Eechanala village, following multiple complaints that the establishment was practicing untouchability, a violation of India's constitutional prohibition on caste discrimination.
The complaints, lodged by villagers and local activists, allege that the eatery denied service to individuals from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, forcing them to sit separately and even refusing to serve them altogether. Witnesses say the proprietor instructed staff to pour water from a distance onto the palms of Dalit customers as a humiliating gesture, a practice reminiscent of historic caste-based oppression.
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Under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, such acts constitute a cognizable offence, allowing police to arrest without a warrant. The Raichur Superintendent of Police, Prakash Rao, confirmed that the FIR cites specific sections of the Act and that an investigation is underway to gather further evidence, including CCTV footage and testimonies from affected patrons.
Karnataka's state government has repeatedly emphasized its zero‑tolerance stance on caste‑based discrimination, with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urging swift legal action in recent statements. Human rights groups, including the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, have pledged to monitor the case and demand that the accused face appropriate penalties if guilt is established.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation on caste prejudice in rural eateries across the state, with several NGOs calling for stricter enforcement of anti‑untouchability laws and awareness campaigns in villages like Eechanala.
