Karnataka: Five villagers nabbed for fining Dalit family over toddler’s temple entry in Koppal

KOPPAL: More than 10 days after a Dalit family was fined Rs 25,000 for a toddler entering a temple, Kushtagi police registered a case under the SC/ST prevention of atrocities Act on Wednesday and arrested five people of Miyapur village.
Calling the penalty “inhumane and shameful”, Koppal deputy commissioner Suralkar Vikas Kishor urged people to report incidents of untouchability without delay to eradicate the social menace.
The incident occurred on September 4 when the toddler’s family was praying at the Maruti temple on his birthday. As his father was praying, the two-year-old boy ran into the temple. Following this, upper caste members held a meeting and on September 11, asked the family to pay Rs 25,000 to conduct homa-havana to “purify” the temple.
DC Kishor, SP T Sreedhara and other officials visited Miyapur on Wednesday and convened a meeting of villagers. “It is not the temple that is dirty after the entry of the Dalit boy but our mind that is dirty,” the DC told villagers. “Citizens have equal responsibility, as much as the district administration, to eradicate untouchability. One should alert the administration as soon as they come across such incidents. If it’s delayed, it will become more problematic for the village and administration.”
Suralkar later told reporters that the boy’s father had approached police on September 13 but refused to register a case. “We request victims to come forward and register a case, barring which we will register cases suo motu. The social welfare officer has registered a case in this instance. We are preparing an action plan to avert such incidents in the district,” the DC said.
The toddler’s father said it was drizzling when they were praying at the temple and the boy ran inside. “I immediately grabbed him but at an open meeting on September 11, village elders said I should pay for abhisheka and purification of the temple. Privately, they told me to pay Rs 25,000-30,000. Since I can’t arrange for such a big amount, we approached Kushtagi police,” he said.
The father, however, added that he would not file a case. “I will file a case if they repeat such practices. I also feel the upper caste members will not accept the resolution in this matter,” he said.
SP Sreedhar appealed to the villagers to live in harmony. When one of them pointed out that an “adjustment” has already been done, the SP said a change of mindset is what is needed. Those arrested in the case are Karakappa Pujari, Hanumagouda, Gavisiddappa Myageri, Virupakshagouda Myageri and Sharanagouda. The DC said more arrests will be made if others are found to be involved.