Gujarat's Aalwada village sees first Dalit haircut, ending decades of caste bias

Economic Times

2 days ago

Synopsis
In a landmark event for Aalwada village, Kirti Chauhan, a 24-year-old Dalit farm laborer, received a haircut locally for the first time on August 7, ending a generations-long ban. This breakthrough followed persistent community efforts, activist advocacy, and administrative intervention. While challenges remain, villagers hail this event as a significant stride toward social equality, symbolizing freedom and acceptance.
TOI.in Gujarat village ends Dalit haircut ban In a historic moment for Aalwada village, 24-year-old farm labourer Kirti Chauhan became the first Dalit to receive a haircut locally on August 7, reported TOI. For decades, the village's 250-strong Dalit population had been denied service by barbers, forcing them to travel elsewhere for basic grooming.
"I am the first Dalit to get a haircut here. Ever since I can remember, we had to go to other towns for basic grooming. In 24 years of my life, I finally felt free and accepted in my own village," an emotional Kirti Chauhan told TOI.
After months of dialogue and advocacy, all five barber shops in the 6,500-strong village finally opened their doors to Scheduled Castes, ending an unwritten ban that had persisted for generations. The breakthrough came after persistent efforts by Dalit residents and activist Chetan Dabhi, who worked to sensitize upper-caste barbers and villagers about the unconstitutional nature of the practice. According to the report, when persuasion alone was insufficient, police and district officials stepped in to ensure compliance. Village sarpanch Suresh Chaudhary acknowledged the shame of the past, while mamlatdar Janak Mehta highlighted the administration's role in addressing complaints and fostering harmony.
"Many resisted change despite months of sensitisation. Only after constant intervention by police and the district administration did the upper castes agree," Activist Chetan Dabhi explained to TOI. For Kirti Chauhan, the haircut symbolized freedom and acceptance within his own village. Elders like Chhogaji Chauhan reflected on decades of exclusion endured by previous generations. Barbers, including 21-year-old Pintoo Nai, welcomed the change, noting its social and economic benefits."We have walked miles for a haircut. My father faced this before independence, and my children endured it nearly eight decades after," Chhogaji Chauhan, 58, recalled to the media outlet.Many members of dominant communities also supported the move, recognizing the injustice of the old practice. Prakash Patel, a Patidar, told TOI , "If customers are welcome at my grocery store, why not at a barber's shop? We're glad the wrong practice is gone." Despite the milestone, prejudice persists in other areas, such as separate seating at community feasts, as noted by Dalit farmer Ishwar Chauhan. Still, villagers describe this first haircut as 'small cut, big change,' marking an important step toward equality in Aalwada.