‘Double tumbler’ system still in vogue here (The Hindu)
"B. Veerabadran, a Dalit youth from Mavanatti village, told The Hindu that owners of eateries kept plastic tumblers near bins outside their shops. Mr. Veerabadran said Dalits were served tea or coffee in these tumblers. After drinking tea they had to wash the tumblers themselves and keep them at the designated place – near the bin. The tea would be poured to the tumblers by the hoteliers [hotel=restaurant in Indian English] who would take care not to touch them.
"Many times the food joints do not give Dalits tea or coffee even if the shops have enough milk, sugar and tea or coffee powder.
"Young members of the community find it hard to bear this. 'Why do we have to face this humiliation? We want the state government to totally eradicate untouchability in society. We want to sit with others in hotels,' they said. They alleged that when they complained to the police about this practice and atrocities against them the police intimidated them and foisted false cases on them."
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