The Karnataka Forum for Communal Harmony on Saturday asked the government to order probe into the alleged attack on Dalits in Karnataka by Bajrang Dal members over eating beef.
The Times of India reports that the Dalits living in Koppa in Chikkamagluru district, were attacked on July 17 by a group of Bajrang Dal members alleging that they had served beef for dinner.
Santhosh Kumar RB of The New Indian Express reports that Jaipura police arrested three Dalits for cruelty against animals on a tip-off, and were later released on bail. One of them later filed a complaint against seven Bajrang Dal members.
While one man’s hand was fractured, others sustained minor injuries, say reports.
Balaraj, one of the injured, told The Hindu that around 25 people barged into Muthappa’s house in Shantipura village around 11 p.m. when they had assembled for dinner, which included beef dishes. The mob then attacked them claiming that the beef was stolen and slaughtered.
Jaipura police have registered a case against the accused under Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, but the dalit organization demands attempt to murder be slapped against the accused.
The forum secretary Gouse Mohiudden is reported to have said that local BJP leader not only held demonstration in support of Bajrang Dal members, but also forced the police to register a complaint against the Dalits for “stealing and slaughtering a cow”.
BJP MLA Jivaraj Ashok told Hindustan Times that Bajrang Dal would stage a state-wide protest on Sunday.
