Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Dalit Youths Challenge Salon Boycott in Odisha Village
A group of Dalit youths in a village in Odisha wanted haircuts at nearby salons.
They say all six salons turned them away because of their caste.
The barbers reportedly said serving them could affect their caste standing and religious role.
The youths filed a police complaint under a law meant to protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
A rights activist says the police have not acted properly on the complaint.
The youths say they also face exclusion from village festivals.
They want the salons to serve them and say they will keep pushing for change.
The article says some people from dominant castes supported the barbers.
Dalit youths in Jorakani Bhoi Sahi say six nearby salons refused to cut their hair.
The salons are in Ghoradia market, Puri district, and are run by barbers described as largely OBCs.
The youths filed an FIR at Delang police station under the SC/ST Act.
Residents from dominant Brahmin and Khandayat castes reportedly supported the barbers’ refusal.
A rights activist said the police were not giving the FIR proper attention and called for the law to be implemented.
- Who
- Dalit youths from Jorakani Bhoi Sahi, salon owners in Ghoradia market, and rights activist Akshya Behera.
- What
- The youths say salons refused to cut their hair; they filed an FIR under the SC/ST Act and are challenging the boycott.
- When
- The youths made their effort in May; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Jorakani Bhoi Sahi and nearby Ghoradia market in Puri district, Odisha.
- Why
- The youths say they were denied service because they are Dalit, and are seeking equal treatment and implementation of the law.
Dalit youths and rights activist
Barbers and upper-caste supporters
Access to salons
Dalit youths and rights activist
Dalit youths say the salons refuse to serve them because of their caste, and they are demanding equal access.
Barbers and upper-caste supporters
The barbers reportedly said cutting Dalits’ hair would dilute their caste, anger God, and threaten their standing and participation in religious events.
Police action
Dalit youths and rights activist
The youths filed an FIR under the SC/ST Act; activist Akshya Behera says police are not giving the case proper attention.
Barbers and upper-caste supporters
Dominant-caste residents reportedly asked police not to take action against the barbers.
- Village
- Jorakani Bhoi Sahi, under Sauria grampanchayat
- District
- Puri district, Odisha
- Incident
- Six salons in nearby Ghoradia market reportedly denied service to Dalit youths
- Legal action
- The youths filed an FIR at Delang police station under the SC/ST Act
- Reported community size
- The activist said there are 25 Dalit families in the community
- Education
- The activist said five or six graduates live among those families
- Related exclusion
- Nandu Kandi said Dalits are also barred from village festivals