Even as Maharashtra is burning with caste-related violence, reports of Dalit oppression are coming from its neighbouring state Karnataka.
The Karnataka State Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Tuesday, January 2 received a complaint that members of the Dalit community in Komaranahalli village were allegedly forced by ‘upper castes’ to sacrifice buffalo during the annual fair and consume its meat. The complaint also alleged that Dalit women were made to perform semi-nude worship in the fair by wearing garland made from neem leaves.
The annual fair began on Tuesday at the Marikamba temple in Karnataka’s Shivamogga. It features the image of the goddess Marikamba, a form of Durga or Parvati.
Reacting to the complaints, A. Muniyappa, Chairman of the Commission held a meeting with district administration in Shivamogga city on Tuesday and directed Deputy Commissioner M. Lokesh and Superintendent of Police Abhinav Khare to take necessary measures.
Indian Express
Mr Muniappa also met the villagers and requested them to give up such practises. Police also seized two buffaloes, who were near the Marikamba temple who were meant to be sacrificed during the fair.
The police action also prompted a section of the villagers to stage a protest demanding the cops to hand over the buffaloes.
The Police personnel have been deployed at the village to avoid any untoward incident.
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The incident comes weeks after over 250 animals, mainly goats and sheep, were sacrificed on the first day of the Yellamma Fair at Kokatanur village in Belagavi district.
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