Karnataka BJP MP denied entry into village in his own constituency for being Dalit

BENGALURU: In yet another shocking incident over caste, Karnataka BJP MP A Narayanaswamy was denied entry into a village in Tumakuru district, just 150km away from Bengaluru, for being a Dalit.


The incident took place on Monday evening when Narayanaswamy, who represents Chitradurga reserve Lok Sabha constituency, took representatives of NGOs and corporate houses to initiate developmental works in Gollarahatti village consisting of only Golla (Yadav) community people.

As soon as he landed in the village, he was stopped on the road by a group of locals and told that he would not be allowed to enter as he was a Dalit. However, others accompanying the MP were allowed inside the village. Narayanaswamy belongs to Madiga sect of scheduled caste.

Narayanaswamy tried to convince the villagers for over half an hour but in vain. The villagers did not even budge to the MP's warning that discrimination against any particular caste would attract punishment. They told him that no Dalit had ever entered the village and he would not be allowed to do so.

After a brief argument with villagers, Narayanswamy left in his car. Interestingly, Narayanaswamy was polled majority of Yadav community votes in the May general elections.

The MP has chosen not to register any complaint against the villagers. "I am angry but I have decided not to file any complaint. Moreover, the villagers are divided on the issue and I don't want this divide to go deeper. There is a need for creating awareness among villagers and I will do that in coming days," Narayanaswamy told TOI.

Meanwhile, Tumakuru SP has ordered an inquiry and asked officials to file a report.