Demolition of Ravidas Temple Triggers Tension in Bihar Village
Image for representational purpose only. Courtesy: The New Indian Express
Hundreds of kilometres away from the demolished site of Sant Ravidas Temple in Delhi, tensions prevailed in Bihar’s Kaimur district after a group of youths belonging to Ravidas community damaged the platform and stone idols of a Kali [a Hindu goddess] temple on Thursday – seemingly in order to take revenge.
So far, this is the only such incident reported from Bihar.
Kaimur Superintendent of Police Dilnawaz Ahmad said that some Dalit youths attacked a temple and damaged stone idols in Taraitha village, but the situation was controlled by the prompt action of the police. Ahmad told NewsClick that in view of the tensions among the local devotees, police have assured action against those involved during a peace meeting.
He said that an FIR was lodged against the four named accused under Sections 153 A and 295 of IPC for promoting disharmony and religious hatred and destruction of a religious place with intent to insult or hurt religious faith. Security forces have been deployed in the village and the local police have been asked to keep a close watch and be alert, Ahmad said.
Ramgarh police station house officer, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, told NewsClick that two youths – Deepak Ram and Mithelesh Ram – were arrested in connection with this case. But the main accused, Bhartendu Ram, son of a former mukhiya (village body head), who had allegedly instigated the village youths to attack Kali temple, is absconding, he said. “Police have been conducting raids to arrest him to know real motive behind this incident and the reason for provocation.”
Singh said that the situation is peaceful in the village, but police are careful.
On Thursday, villagers informed police officials that a group of over one dozen youths, armed with traditional weapons, attacked the Kali temple and they were shouting slogans of revenge against demolition of Ravidas temple in Delhi. “A meeting was held by accused along with others in the village three days ago to take revenge of the demolition of Ravidas temple in Delhi,” said Singh.
Kaimur district that shares border with Uttar Pradesh has sizeable population of Ravidas community. They are also influential in local politics.
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