A Dalit family were badly beaten up, abused and issued life threats for allegedly touching idols at a temple in Chitrakoot district on Thursday.
“Dharamlal, who works as a sweeper for the municipal board was performing rituals along with his family, is when the accused Rohit Tiwari, and his unidentified associates entered into the temple and started beating them for “touching the goddess’s idol”, police said.
Dharamlal alleged that Police officers at the Rajapur police station initially ignored his complaint, and registered it only after local Dalits staged a sit-in demonstration.
“I had gone to the temple with my wife and son Rambali (15) for a ritual. While my wife was busy with the rituals, Rohit Tiwari and two others entered the temple and started beating her. He pointed a pistol at her and abused her for her caste. He slapped me when I intervened and pointed the pistol at me.
Police registered an FIR against Tiwari and two of his associates. No arrests have been made so far. The Dalits in Rajapur town have announced a march on Sunday if the accused are not arrested by police.