The directive came following a petition filed by Baghambar Pattanaik, who is leading a campaign against caste-based bondage in the state under the banner of Odi
Jan 27, 2021
CHENNAI, India – Indumati Shivaraj’s routine has been the same for more than a decade at dawn she walks to her “master’s” house, mucks out the cattle shed, cleans the tools and sweeps the yard. Four hours later, she walks home.
Besides a cup of tea each day, Shivaraj, 45, gets about 3,000 Indian rupees ($40) a year and a few sacks of grains for her labor.
She is among thousands of Dalits considered India’s lowest caste in an ancient social hierarchy who work for little or no pay in the homes of upper-caste families in Karnataka state under a custom called “bitti chakri” that was recently outlawed.
An age-old custom bites the dust in south India
26 Jan 2021 A woman holds a kid while carrying metal pitchers filled with water from a well outside Denganmal village, Maharashtra, India. Reuters
Anuradha Nagaraj,
Reuters
Indumati Shivaraj’s routine has been the same for more than a decade at dawn she walks to her “master’s” house, mucks out the cattle shed, cleans the tools and sweeps the yard. Four hours later, she walks home.
Besides a cup of tea each day, Shivaraj, 45, gets about $40 (3,000 Indian rupees) a year and a few sacks of grains for her labour.
She is among thousands of Dalits considered India’s lowest caste in an ancient social hierarchy who work for little or no pay in the homes of upper-caste families in Karnataka state under a custom called “bitti chakri” that was recently outlawed.
CHENNAI - Ms Indumati Shivaraj's routine has been the same for more than a decade - at dawn she walks to her "master's" house, mucks out the cattle shed, cleans the tools and sweeps the yard. Four hours later, she walks home. Besides a cup of tea each day, Ms Shivaraj, 45, gets about 3,000 Indian rupees (S$55) a year.