A government school headmistress in Yadgir district of Karnataka allegedly received death threats for inviting a Dalit community member as the chief guest for a Republic Day function, officers aware of the matter said on Friday, adding that the accused was arrested in this connection on Thursday.
The accused, identified as Basanagouda Kencha Reddy, 33, allegedly called up the headmistress, Nirmala Dange, and verbally abused her using obscene language before issuing threats to her life, they added.
The incident, which took place at the Bacheematti Government Higher Primary School in Yadgir district, has sparked outrage on social media, leading to a caste-based complaint being filed at the Surapura police station.
According to Dange, the school invited various dignitaries, including gram panchayat members, ASHA workers, and parents, for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. During the event, guests, including members of the Dalit community, were seated on the stage along with others, she added.
Around noon, Basanagouda reportedly was enraged upon noticing Dalit community members seated on the dais. He allegedly used derogatory language while speaking to Dange, threatened her life and made offensive remarks, she said.
“Basanagouda called up the headmistress on January 27 and abused her for allowing Dalit community members to be present on the stage,” Surapura Town Police Inspector Anand Vagmodi said.
This story was originally published in hindustantimes.com. Read the full story here.