Dalits allege attack by members of upper caste

Police personnel deployed at Chatrakodi to prevent untoward incidents

Members of Dalit community staged a protest at Chatrakodi alleging attack on dalits and damage to Dr B R Ambedkar’s portrait on Friday night in Kolar.

Protesters accused that people from upper caste had damaged the photo-frame and had attacked dalits and demanded action against them. They staged protest at 10.30 pm on Friday.

Dalits, Devaraju, Muniraju, Mallesh and Rajendra, who were injured in the attack were given first aid.

Meeting

“On Friday around 9 pm, Dalits had gathered for a meeting to discuss about organising Ambedkar Jayanthi on April 14. Some members of the upper caste came to the meeting spot and threatened that they will not allow us to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanthi. They also warned us of making the village another Kambalapalli (In Kambalapalli, more than 15 dalits were charred to death, when their huts were set ablaze), if they try to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanthi. Later, a mediation meeting was also held,” said a resident speaking to Deccan Herald, who had witnessed the incident.

Speaking further he recounted that, “After the meeting, power supply to the village was cut and members from upper caste attacked dalits, who had gathered for the meeting. They verbally abused them and broke the photo-frame consisting Dr Ambedkar’s portrait. Later, they barged inside the Ambedkar Bhavan, damaged the photos kept there. They also pelted stones on the people and the Bhavan.”

Hearing the news, District Superintendent of Police Ramnivas Sepat visited the place. Dalits explained the incident to them and demanded action against the people
attacking and threatening them.

Police staff tried hard to bring the situation under control.

To prevent any untoward situation, police personnel have been deployed at Chatrakodi.