Karnataka: Dalit man fined for entering temple in Koppal, accused booked

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Published : Sep 27, 2021, 4:09 PM IST

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A Dalit man from Karnataka was fined for entering a temple in Karnataka's Koppal district. The Welfare Dept officials visited the village and carried out an investigation. A police case was filed against eight people but they are absconding while the police are looking out for the accused.

Koppal (Karnataka): A Dalit man was stopped from entering the temple and was fined in Karnataka's Koppal district. A case has been filed and the accused are absconding, according to the police. This is the second incident in the Koppal district in this month. On Sept. 4, a Dalit family was penalized after their child entered the temple.

On Sept. 16, a Dalit man was stopped by the temple management when he entered Lakshmi Devi temple in Naganakal village of Karatagi taluk. The man was fined Rs 11,000. The incident came to light on Sept. 24 after the incident became viral on social media.

Accused who stopped the Dalit young man for entering the temple in Koppal were absconded, said Yallappa, PSI of Karatagi police station. Social Welfare Department officials visited the village and interacted with the victim. Fearing consequences, the victim had earlier claimed that he has given a donation to the temple.

Taluk Social Welfare Dept officer Tughleppa Desai said there was confusion about the victim being fined Rs 11,000. "The victim lied that he donated the money to the temple. When we went and spoke to villagers, we realized that he had paid the money as the fine amount. The police department is probing further", he said.

A case has been filed in the Karatagi police station against eight people including the temple priest and members of temple management in this regard. No one has been arrested in connection with the case so far. Sub-Inspector Yallappa said that the accused are absconding and the police are on the lookout.

In the previous incident at Miyapur village of Kushtagi taluk in Koppal district on September 4, Dalit parents were fined Rs 25,000 after their two-and-half-year-old son entered Hanuman temple on his birthday. A case had been registered in the Kushtagi Police station. Five people including a priest have been arrested for collecting the fine from Dalit family for 'purification' of the temple.

The Karnataka State Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe has sought a comprehensive report from the Koppal DC and SP regarding the incident.

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