Dalit, upper caste groups clash over temple entry

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A group of Dalits on one side and another belonging to men from the upper caste recently clashed at Nandi Halli in Ranebennur taluk over some Dalits not being allowed into the Basaveshwara temple within the village. Outraged over the issue, Dalit community members have demanded that cops act against the upper caste “miscreants for creating a conflict in the society.

The incident prompted the police to conduct a peace meeting, which was led by Haveri district Superintendent of Police Dr Shivakumar. He urged the communities not to take law into their hands and keep faith in institutions formed to protect their rights.

He also said that the accused will be arrested as soon as the situation normalises, saying the department will give complete support to the Dalit community. The SP appealed to the Dalit community, seeking their cooperation to defuse the prevailing tension.