BJP MP Tarun Vijay on Friday was assaulted by a mob of upper caste Hindus after he tried to lead a large group of Dalits into the Silgur devta temple, breaking a centuries old tradition, around 160 km from Dehradun.
The Times of India reported that a lot of Dalits were also injured in the violence, and Tarun Vijay sustained deep injuries on his head and ear. He was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The report adds:
According to eyewitnesses, trouble started when the MP and his group, who were allowed entry into the temple, touched the 'dev doli' which according to local belief "should not be touched by those belonging to a lower caste".
"The touch of Dalits has tarnished the sanctity of our festive day and our temple has become unholy now," a villager told the newspaper.
NDTV reported that the police team present there rescued the Uttarakhand MP and the Dalit leaders who sustained minor injuries, and Vijay's condition is stated to stable.
#TarunVijayAssaulted watch @Tarunvijay 's supporter recalls the attack & ordeal @NewsX Exclusive!!! pic.twitter.com/VCKbwKsU0y
— Sachin Singh (@sachinsingh1010) May 20, 2016
He is really injured, he told me he hid from the attackers thats why he is alive: BJP MP Tarun Vijay's wife pic.twitter.com/IAFX90hvGP
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 21, 2016