JOIN USDemanding action against a section of the people for allegedly abusing Dalit women for entering a temple and also attempting to assault them, residents from Shigaranahalli in Holenarasipur taluk staged a protest near the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday.
The protesters alleged that 16 women, including four Dalit women, belonging to a self-help group, went to Basaveshwara temple in the village to perform puja. A section of the people, belonging to an upper caste, objected to it and allegedly abused the Dalit women. At a meeting held the next day, the elders directed the self-help group members to pay a fine of Rs 1,000 and also bear the expenses of the temple’s sanctification. The protesters demanded a case be registered against the alleged under Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Community hall
The protesters claimed that a community hall constructed under the MPLAD funds has been named ‘Vokkaligara Bhavan’ and Dalits are banned from entering it.
The hall, constructed by the government, should be available to all communities, they demanded.
The protesters also met Women’s Commission Chairperson Manjula Manasa and submitted a memorandum in this regard.
The SC/ST Commission had directed the district administration to submit a report in this regard. So, Assistant Commissioner Vijaya, Deputy Director for Social Welfare Purushottam and others had visited the village and gathered information, recently.