A Dalit priest in Barana village, Bhilwara, Rajasthan, has alleged that he was attacked and stopped from performing rituals at the Khakul Dev Ji temple after a dispute broke out regarding the placement of a donation box.
Priest Vishnu Balai, who belongs to the Meghwal community, lodged a complaint at Asind police station, citing assault and provisions under the SC/ST Act. Police registered the case on Saturday and have begun an investigation.
Balai alleged that when he went to conduct rituals on Friday, a group of villagers assaulted him and blocked him from his duties. “The truth will come out during investigation,” he told reporters.
However, villagers have denied the allegations, claiming that the dispute stemmed from Balai’s opposition to installing a donation box for temple development. They accused the priest of misusing temple resources, including allegedly selling grain meant for pigeons, and termed his complaint “false and fabricated.”
Sampat Lal Jat, a local social worker, said the temple has traditionally been associated with the Meghwal community and that Balai has been performing rituals there. He added that a temple development committee, comprising members from different communities including Dalits, had decided to install the donation box after informing local authorities. “Balai opposed this move and then filed false charges of assault and obstruction,” he claimed.
Asind Deputy SP Om Prakash confirmed that a case had been registered. “Prima facie, the issue appears to be a dispute over the donation box. No evidence has yet emerged of villagers preventing rituals. The investigation is ongoing,” he said.
