Karnataka: Dalit family attacked by Bajrang Dal over rumours of 'cooking beef'

Dalit rights groups have alleged that Bajrang Dal members have attacked a Dalit family claiming that there was beef in their house, reports The Hindustan Times. 

Less than two weeks ago, a group of Dalits were allegedly beaten up by six persons for skinning a dead cow at a village in Gir Somnath district in Gujarat, following which three persons were arrested.

The latest incident took place in Koppa in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district on last Sunday. Koppa is 300 km from Bengaluru. “Around 30-40 members of the Bajrang Dal came and attacked Balraj and four members of his family claiming there was meat inside their house,” KL Ashok, a rights group member, said. Ashok who is the General Secretary of Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum said that the Dalit family members were beaten with sticks.

A 53-year-old member of the family suffered a fracture on his hand due to the attack. Other members of the family have gotten minor internal injuries. They have been discharged from the local hospital in the town.

After pressure from the rights groups, police booked around 30-40 attackers under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.

However, the BJP is unhappy with this and is planning a state-wide protest. BJP MLA Ashok from Jivaraj said that the rally will start from Jaipura. 

Dalit rights groups too will hold a “Chalo Jaipura” march on Monday against the attack.