Dalit family fined Rs 60,000 after boy touches God's idol in Karnataka's Kolar
India Today
A Dalit family has been fined Rs 60,000 after its boy touched a pole attached to the idol of Sidiranna, a prominent south Indian village deity in Karnataka.
A Dalit family in Karnataka's Kolar district has been fined Rs 60,000 after its boy touched a pole attached to the idol of Sidiranna, a prominent south Indian village deity.
The incident took place in Ullerahalli village in Karnataka's Kolar district.
On September 8, the villagers were holding the Bhootayamma fair and Dalits were not allowed to enter the village deity’s temple. During this, Shoba and Ramesh's 15-year-old son touched a pole attached to the idol of Sidiranna, a prominent village deity.
Venkateshappa, a villager, noticed it and alleged violating the code of conduct of the village. Then they summoned the family of the boy to appear before the village elders the next day.
The villagers were offended. They alleged that Dalits touched the pole and now it is impure and they must repaint everything. The village elder Narayanaswamy fined them to pay Rs 60,000 by October 1 for re-painting. They even warned that if they fail to pay the fine by October 1, the entire family will be ostracised.
Meanwhile, the police arrested 8 people after Shoba filed a complaint at Masthi police station. They also alleged that there is a threat from upper caste people against their family.
