Fifteen people were arrested and 70 unknown people, all reportedly from upper-caste Hindu communities, were booked in Karnataka’s Bidar district on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting Dalits.
The incident took place in Bhalki taluk on 2 November when several people from the Dalit community, who had participated in the annual Hanuman procession, were allegedly attacked by upper-caste villagers in Chalakapura village.
“During the Deepavali celebrations, a traditional procession takes place in Chalakapura village. On November 1, Dalit community members joined the procession and suggested a route that included two additional circles. This change was resisted by upper-caste residents,” Hindustan Times quotes Bidar superintendent of police Pradeep Gunti as saying.
“On November 2, a group of villagers allegedly assaulted four Dalit youths over an argument about the procession route,” he said.
“On Tuesday, we arrested 15 people in connection with the assault and are actively working to apprehend the remaining suspects. The investigation is ongoing, and we are committed to ensuring justice for the victims in this case,” Gunti added.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.