Families facing social boycott hope for redress in the new law

“I am in agony for years. Recently my younger brother died. I could not go to pay my last respects. When I die, none of them can come either,” said 75-year-old Ganapathiyappa, a resident of Duguru in Sorab taluk. He was sharing the experiences he had suffered following the social boycott imposed on his family.

“Of course, the boycott does not restrict sunlight or rain, but I have not been able to speak to my close relatives and friends for years,” he says, teary-eyed.

Many residents in several villages in Sorab taluk have been victims of social boycott imposed by the unofficial village committee consisting of powerful people. In this pocket, it is largely those belonging to the Deevaru (Ediga) caste, in most cases those imposing and suffering boycott being from the same community. Besides, families belonging to the Scheduled Caste and other backward classes are also suffering owing to this practice.

The committee, according to the affected people, resolves to enforce a social boycott for various reasons. “The families that go against the will of the committee are likely to face the boycott. Similarly, those who support such people also face the same order,” said Manjappa Naik, a resident of Barige, whose family is also facing boycott.

Valliyamma’s family, a Scheduled Caste family at Ulavi-Pathresalu village, was boycotted because she went to court to claim a piece of land granted to her long ago. Praveen Kumar’s family in the same village was boycotted because he approached the police following a clash with neighbours. His neighbour Prema Kumari’s family was also boycotted because it continued to communicate with Praveen’s family.

Parashuram, a carpenter at Gudavi village, was subjected to boycott because he filed a police complaint after he and his family members were allegedly harassed by a few people in the village. Ganeshappa of B. Holekatte village was boycotted as he moved court to claim the land that he had been cultivating, against the wishes of the village committee.

These villagers have complained to the officers and elected representatives, including Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa, who represents Sorab in the Assembly. Members of around 20 families staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Shivamogga, appealing to the administration to end their trauma.

The officers tend to act when the family affected belongs to the Scheduled Caste, as the offence is treated as a caste atrocity. However, in the case of others, there has been hardly any action. “When officers hold meetings in the village, a majority of the people speak in favour of the village committees, ignoring the plight of boycotted minorities,” said Mr. Ganapathiyappa.

The families boycotted are not allowed to do business in the village. Shopkeepers do not entertain them. Barbers deny them services. “My son could not attend the Anganwadi centre in the village. Now I have admitted him to a school at Sorab,” said Ganeshappa of B. Holekatte. Chandrappa of Barige said his daughter rides her bicycle to school alone, maintaining a distance from her classmates who travel together.

“In many cases, daughters are not allowed to see their parents on their deathbeds. Whoever violates the diktat is penalised. Interestingly, those who notice the violation and inform the committees are rewarded,” said Mr. Manjappa Naik.

However, Mr. Madhu Bangarappa has denied allegations of social boycott in his constituency. “I know a few people staged protests alleging it. If there are any such cases, the law should take its course. I have instructed the Deputy Commissioner to suitable action,” he said.

The families are hopeful that the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025, that has been passed by both the Houses of Karnataka Legislature in the Belagavi session in December, 2025, will bring relief to them soon. The Bill got the assent of the Governor earlier this week.

“Our children have been denied social life. They cannot play with our neighbours and relatives. We are praying for a peaceful co-existence,” said Ms. Valliyamma.