Bengaluru: A 65-year-old Dalit man was allegedly assaulted by an individual for refusing to play the drum during the annual pooja celebration at a temple in Makodu village in Periyapatna taluk of Mysuru district, police said on Wednesday.
“The accused, Kumar, called Paramayya to participate in the Basaveshwara temple’s annual pooja by playing the drum, but Paramayya declined due to not feeling well,” said M Sridhar, inspector at Periyapatna police station. “Enraged by the response, Kumar allegedly assaulted Paramayya and abused him in the name of caste,” the inspector added.
According to officials, the village has a Basaveshwara temple, and all communities have been celebrating the annual pooja together for decades. Drum beating is a traditional job for the Dalit community. Kumar became agitated when Paramayya refused to participate.
“My father is unwell, which is why he declined to play the drum. I informed the temple committee that I would take on the responsibility, but the accused forced my father to play the drum. When my father declined, he was assaulted and abused,” claimed Basavaraju, Paramayya’s son.
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