In a shocking turn of events, 10 Bajrang Dal activists reportedly entered a house located in Udupi district’s Kundapur taluk and assaulted three Dalit men, who they believed were eating beef.
The incident occurred on Monday night at Koraga colony located in Angodi village in Kundapur, at the home of a woman named Shakuntala.
According to the Gangoli Police Inspector Jaya K, Shakuntala had invited guests for a small celebration ahead of her niece’s engagement, which was to be held on Tuesday.
“While they were sitting at the dinner table, the Bajrang Dal activists led by Gururaj Acharya, Sunil Poojary and Chandrakanth Poojary entered Shakuntala’s house and accused them of eating beef. There were dishes containing meat but we don’t know if it was cow meat yet,” the Inspector added.
Upon questioning Shakuntala, it was revealed that the activists allegedly verbally abused them and also the Koraga community.
“They assaulted Harish (26), Srikanth (19) and Mahesh (20) and also threatened to set all the houses in the colony on fire,” the Inspector said.
According to the police, the victims had been arrested earlier that week, and let off on bail in a cow slaughter case. The Bajrang Dal activists “handed over the three men” to the police on Monday night after assaulting them, the police said.
The Inspector revealed that the police are yet to ascertain if the trio were involved in the cow slaughter case. The trio were released on bail on Wednesday. Harish, who suffered injuries to his abdomen is now recovering in the Kundapur taluk hospital.
Meanwhile, Shakuntala lodged another complaint against the Bajrang Dal activists for assault and for threatening the Koraga community.
“The Dalit Sangharsha Samithi members also came along with Shakuntala and called for stern action against Gururaj Acharya, Sunila and Chandrakanth Poojary. We are still investigating the case,” Inspector Jaya said.