SP, journos among several injured as Dalits temple entry row turns violent

Hassan, Apr 2: Prohibitory orders were imposed at Sigaranahalli in Holenarsipur taluk of Hassan district on Friday after violence broke out over the entry of Dalits into a temple in the village.

The upper castes' have been opposing Dalits entering the Basaveshwara Temple. An angry mob assaulted the Assistant Commissioner, two journalists, about 10 policemen, besides pelting stones at police vehicles.

Sources said that Superintendent of Police R.K. Shahapurwad, who rushed to the village with additional police forces to bring the situation under control, also suffered injuries. The police resorted to lathi-charge and burst tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd.

A clash had ensued between Dalits and uppercastes after the dalits entered the Basaveshwara temple in the village, six months ago. The village was tense following the incident and several peace meetings were held to ensure harmony. Following the intervention of the administration, Dalits were allowed to enter the temple. However, puja and other rituals at the temple had stopped since that day.

The fair of Durgaparameshwari deity at Hariharapura, close to Singaranahalli is scheduled for Saturday and the uppercastes had made preparations for performing puja at the Basaveshwara temple also. Meanwhile, the Dalits made a request to the district administration to allow them to perform puja during the fair. As the situation turned tense, additional police forces were deployed at the village, much to the chagrin of the upper castes.

A group of people pelted stones on police officers and other officials who were camping in Singaranahalli on Friday morning. Some people assaulted the police with clubs also.