KALABURAGI: Dalits of Tidigol village in Sindanur taluk in Raichur district have been facing social ostracisation ever since a Dalit youth accidentally touched the wheel of a chariot during a temple festival around 15 days ago.
Upper-caste members are refusing to sell provisions to the Dalits, pound their foodgrains at the flour mill and serve them tea or snacks in the local hotel. The village has around 100 Dalit families.
On September 30, during the chariot festival at the local Hanuman temple, a Dalit youth allegedly touched the wheel of the chariot. Upper- caste members reportedly took offence and a tiff erupted. It is alleged they beat up some Dalit youths for entering the temple. The Dalits have been stopped from working in the fields. With the boycott affecting them, Dalit youths approached cops to sort out the issue. Police and the local administration held a meeting of both communities but were unable to resolve the issue.
Sindanur tahsildar Arun H Desai told TOI they have got a written undertaking from the community leaders that such incidents will not occur again. However, the Dalits claim the social boycott continues and upper-caste members do not talk to them or acknowledge their presence.
Sindanur DySp Venkatappa Naik said a battalion of DAR police has been deployed at the village for the past 15 days to maintain peace. He expressed confidence that the boycott will end soon.
Courtesy : TOI
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