Dalit Teen Assaulted And Taken To Temple Over 'Ram Is Not A God' Social Media Post

In a shocking incident in Bidar, Karnataka, a 17-year-old Dalit schoolboy was physically assaulted and forcibly taken to a temple by members of a right-wing organization after he shared a controversial social media post questioning the divine status of Lord Rama.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 25 January 2024 3:17 pm

A 17-year-old Dalit schoolboy in Karnataka's Bidar faced assault and was forcibly taken to a temple after sharing a social media post questioning the divine status of Lord Ram. Photo: PTI

In a disturbing incident in Bidar, Karnataka, a 17-year-old Dalit schoolboy was subjected to physical assault by members of a right-wing organization after he shared an image on social media questioning the divine status of Lord Ram and Hanuman. The incident unfolded in the Humnabad circle area on Monday, coinciding with the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

A class 12th #Dalit student was assaulted by #Hindutva group members for sharing a WhatsApp status in #Humnabad taluk of #Kalaburagi, #Karnataka.

The boy was forcibly assaulted and taken to a #HanumanMandir, where he was forced to chant #JaiShriRam slogan and made to bow down to… pic.twitter.com/tsYmHZe52K
— Hate Detector ?? (@HateDetectors) January 24, 2024

The assailants, donned in saffron scarves, not only physically assaulted the boy but also recorded the incident, circulating it widely on social media platforms. The video captures the victim being slapped upon disembarking from an auto-rickshaw. Subsequently, he is taken inside a temple where he is seen prostrating before the deity, and later, the assailants examine his phone.

The local police responded promptly, registering a case on Tuesday after the circulated video gained significant attention. Three suspects have been apprehended, while one remains at large. Charges, including wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, and criminal intimidation, have been pressed against the accused under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.