Caste-Based violence shakes Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in alarming incidents.

Dalits face social boycott, temple entry ban, and violent assaults in Karnataka; woman beaten in Andhra Pradesh over inter-caste marriage

On August 13, a village in North Karnataka’s Yadgir district has announced social boycott on 50 Dalit families after a 15-year-old minor Dalit girl’s parents refused to withdraws a POCSO complaint against a 23-year-old boy belongs to upper caste. The complaint was lodged in August month after a minor girl was allegedly impregnated by a 23-year-old man belonging to an upper caste of the same village near Hunasagi Taluk. The victim belongs to lower caste, the accused refused to marry her and threatened the family of victim not to disclose it.

Boycott calls, where about 250 Dalits residing in Bapparaga village’s two colonies have been denied access to grocery and stationary shops, temples and public spaces, shockingly even children cannot buy basic school supplies like pens and notebooks.

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It was reported that when the girl’s family asked the boy to honour the word and marry her, the boy’s family reportedly rejected it. Then the girl’s parents filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at the Narayanapura police station on August 12. On August 13, the accused was arrested and remanded in judicial custody, reported the Times of India.

Resultantly, following the complaint, upper-caste members called the girl’s parents for negotiations. The victim’s parents refused the upper-caste members and decided to proceed with the POCSO case against the youth. Angered by this, the village’s upper-caste leaders imposed a social boycott on the Dalit community on August 13.

However, police said that that the victim and the man were reportedly in a relationship and he allegedly sexually assaulted her on the pretext of marriage.

On September 14, in a significant development in this matter Narayanapura police has registered the FIR against 10 accused identified as Shankaragowda Mali Patil, Chandappa Tumbagi, Eranna Malipatil, Yallalinga Gowdar, Muddamma, Eerabai Devur, Bharatesh Hubli, Ashoka Mali, Bandeppa Dolli, and Shanthava Biradar. They have been charged under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as well as sections 351 (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). “All accused had fled the village soon after the FIR was registered. We have launched a search to apprehend them” said Yadgir deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Javed Inamdar, reported the Hindustan Times.

Ban imposed on Dalits, assault with Dalit man for entering temple: Bagalkot, Karnataka.

A similar incident occurred in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district, in Ugalwanta village people from Lingayat and Caste Hindu communities have imposed a ban on Dalits from entering their localities after they brutally assaulted 28-year-old Dalit youth, Arjun Madar.

On September 10, Arjun was allegedly attacked, tied to and electric pole, and subjected to casteist abuse for attempting to pray at the Dyamavva temple. The victim filed a complaint before the Kerur Police Station. Following the complaint. The police have booked around 18 people including M Dyavanagounda Sathyannavar, Manjunath Mulimani and T Kamappa Talavar, belonging to Lingayat and other upper class.

According to report, Bagalkot SP Amarnath Reddy confirmed that a Dalit man was assaulted, abused and casteist remarks were made. He also confirmed that the announcement banning Dalits in those localities where people of forward castes reside, was made. He said that “We have filed an FIR against 18 people connected to the incident. It is true that Arjun, a Dalit, was assaulted by a group of upper caste people. He has mentioned in the complaint that he was tied to the electric pole. We are also verifying it as well.”

“There is no other untoward incident that has been reported post this incident in the village. The incident occurred on 10 September. An announcement was also made banning Dalits from entering the their areas. The announcement was meant to boycott a section of people. This is against the law.” Reported South First

However, Kerur Police arrested 6 people including a minor connected to the incident. The police are in search of the remaining 12 people, who have gone underground since the complaint was registered.

Dalit women tied to pole, thrashed for son’s inter-caste marriage.

On September 10, in a shocking incident in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, a 55-year-old mother allegedly tied to a tree and thrashed as her son had married a girl from another caste. The girl’s family, who belongs to the Backward Class Community had disapproved of her marriage to the lower caste boy.

According to reports, the son of K Govindamma, a resident of Kalakunta village of Pedda Kadubur Mandal in Kurnool district, had married a girl from a different caste in the same village. Govindamma, along with the newly married couple, left the village, anticipating backlash from the girl’s family. After staying out of the village for almost six months, Govindamma returned to Kalakunta a few days ago. Upon learning of her arrival, the girl’s family members and other relatives stormed to Govindamma’s house late on Thursday evening and dragged her onto the road. Later, they tied her to a tree and thrashed her, reported the Deccan Herald.

However, the incident came to light on Saturday, September 14, and the police have since registered a case. The severely injured woman was finally rescued by the police and she is now undergoing treatment at the government hospital at Yemmiganur, reported the Times of India.

Courtesy : CJP

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