BELAGAVI: The members of a right wing outfit assaulted and robbed a Dalit family including three women over allegations of conversion at Tukkanatt in Mudalagi. The district police have booked seven under SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act and other sections.
It must be noted that ever since the BJP led state government is pushing anti-conversion bill that was passed in assembly during the winter session recently, several pastors have come under attack. This is a new addition to a long list of over 16 attacks.
At around 1pm in the atternoon on Dec 29, while family headed by Pastor Akshaykumar Karaganvi holding bible prayers in his residence, about seven members of right wing organisation barged into the house asking them to stop the prayers. The accused identitied as Shivanand Shivalingappa, Ramesh Dandapur, Parasappa Babu, Fakirappa Bagewadi, Krishna Kantikar, Chetan Rajendra and Manatesh Basalngappa accusing the family of five of converting neighbours. Soon they began to beat them up.
The victims have suffered minor to grievous injuries, while one woman who has suffered burn injuries is being treated at a hospital in the district.
Pastor’ spouse Kavita in her complaint filed at Ghataprabha police station said the accused even splashed steaming hot curry on Bharati Vyapari, besides outraging modesty of Mahadevi Jogi. The right wing members also assaulted Kavita when she attempted to pacify them.
Kavita said the prayer was annual affair and the family members once in a year gather at home to conduct bible prayer after Christmas. Kavita also said there was no conversion happening in the house as was alleged by the accused.
During the assault, one of the accused snatched a gold chain of a family member identified as Sudhakar Bhimappa Vyapari.
The police said they have booked the accused under IPC sections 326 (causing grievous hurt by dangerous means, 354 (outraging the modesty of women) and 392 (robbery).
It must be noted that ever since the BJP led state government is pushing anti-conversion bill that was passed in assembly during the winter session recently, several pastors have come under attack. This is a new addition to a long list of over 16 attacks.
At around 1pm in the atternoon on Dec 29, while family headed by Pastor Akshaykumar Karaganvi holding bible prayers in his residence, about seven members of right wing organisation barged into the house asking them to stop the prayers. The accused identitied as Shivanand Shivalingappa, Ramesh Dandapur, Parasappa Babu, Fakirappa Bagewadi, Krishna Kantikar, Chetan Rajendra and Manatesh Basalngappa accusing the family of five of converting neighbours. Soon they began to beat them up.
The victims have suffered minor to grievous injuries, while one woman who has suffered burn injuries is being treated at a hospital in the district.
Pastor’ spouse Kavita in her complaint filed at Ghataprabha police station said the accused even splashed steaming hot curry on Bharati Vyapari, besides outraging modesty of Mahadevi Jogi. The right wing members also assaulted Kavita when she attempted to pacify them.
Kavita said the prayer was annual affair and the family members once in a year gather at home to conduct bible prayer after Christmas. Kavita also said there was no conversion happening in the house as was alleged by the accused.
During the assault, one of the accused snatched a gold chain of a family member identified as Sudhakar Bhimappa Vyapari.
The police said they have booked the accused under IPC sections 326 (causing grievous hurt by dangerous means, 354 (outraging the modesty of women) and 392 (robbery).
.