Now, women barbers at Tirupati

Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji temple will break away from tradition in a few days from now when it appoints women barbers to tonsure the heads of women devotees.

It may seem like a triumph for gender equality. But the women barbers in question are not happy with the temple authorities.

"Women barbers appointed by the board should get all the facilities like free bus travel, and other conveyances at par with the male barbers. Women barbers deserve all such facilities," a barber at Tirupati, K Radha Devi said.

The Balaji temple of Tirumala is one of the oldest temples in India. Established in the 9th Century, it has managed to retain many of its age-old traditions.

One of the traditions that devotees have to follow is that of offering hair to the chief deity in hopes that their sorrows will disappear with the hair.

Till now only male barbers have been shaving the heads of the devotees including women.

The appointment of female barbers came after some women devotees complained of misbehaviour by male barbers. Their complaints were taken seriously and the process of appointing female barbers is already underway.

But women barbers are not happy with the terms and conditions of the job. To begin with, they are being offered less money than what their male counterparts get. Also, they do not get the other facilities that a male barber enjoys.

So far the temple authorities have decided to take in 42 women to tonsure female devotees. However, it remains to be seen whether these female barbers get a fair deal or not.

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