A case has been registered against a temple priest and two other temple officials in Telangana’s Bollarum after they allegedly attacked a Dalit man who couldn’t offer money as Dakshina (donation). According to the police, the incident took place when the 43-year-old man, who works as a security guard, visited the temple with his four-year-old son.
The man, who lives in Lothukunta, initially visited the temple in late October. After a prayer ritual, the priest requested a Dakshina. When the man explained he didn’t have money, the priest reportedly questioned why he came to the temple without it.
On a subsequent visit to the temple on Saturday, he prayed and was preparing to leave when the priest again asked for Dakshina. After he replied that he came only to pray, the priest allegedly insulted him and pushed him. At this point, two other temple officials joined the confrontation, reportedly using caste-based slurs and physically assaulting him. The man and his young son were forced out of the temple, with the temple gates shut behind them, according to his complaint.
The Bollarum police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.
