A case of alleged caste discrimination has come to light in the Arasamma temple located in Goni village of Turuvekere taluk of Tumkuru district of Karnataka. It is alleged that a newly married Dalit couple was insulted and thrown out of the temple premises.
The matter has gained momentum after the video of the incident went viral on social media. The police have registered an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and arrested the main accused.
Allegation of being prevented from entering the temple
According to the information received, recently a Dalit couple who got married had reached Arasamma temple for darshan. According to local people, during the darshan, a man named Narayanappa, belonging to an upper caste, displayed a state of ‘passion’, allegedly describing himself as the incarnation of a deity. The complaint alleges that Narayanappa claimed that the Dalit family was not allowed to enter the temple. After this, the family was allegedly scolded and forced to leave the temple premises.
Controversy increased after the video went viral
Someone recorded the video of the incident on a mobile phone, which later went viral on social media. As soon as the video became public, outrage spread at the local level. The victim, Jagadish, lodged a complaint at the Turuvekere police station. Based on the complaint, the police took immediate action and registered a case against Narayanappa along with Prabha, Kantanna, Amulya, Puttegowda and Padma. There is a widespread reaction to this incident on social media. Many social organizations and human rights activists have called it against the Constitution and the basic principles of social justice.
Action under SC/ST Act
Police have registered an FIR against the accused under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This law has been made to stop atrocities against Scheduled Caste and Tribe people and to give strict punishment to the culprits. The main accused Narayanappa has been arrested, while the search for other accused is on. Police are investigating the case in detail, which will include video footage, statements of eyewitnesses and other evidence.
