In Dy.CM's constituency, Dalit man ostracised, fined Rs 25,000 for entering temple

Tumkuru: A Dalit man from Tumkuru is facing social boycott apart from being slapped with a fine of Rs 25,000 for entering a temple which is barred for Scheduled Castes.

On May 20, the victim Jagadish MS and his family had visited the Doddamma temple at Mallekavu village to witness the puja. He was however stopped by a few villagers who not only abused him on caste lines but alleged that he had polluted the temple by entering it.

A meeting was called by community leaders the next day itself and it was decided to fine Jagadish Rs 25,000 for cleansing the temple. Block Congress president M P Somanna was also reportedly present in the meeting held by the villagers.

Incidentally, the village comes under Koratagere assembly constituency represented by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. The presence of Somanna who belongs to same party as DCM has called for a lot of flak in the political circles.

Speaking to media persons Jagadish claimed that ever since he entered the temple, he has been facing threats to his life and that his family members left the village in fear. He has filed a complaint against eight villagers, including Somanna, with the Koratagere police.

Koratagere police are on the lookout for the accused.