Dalit man beaten, abused for visiting temple in Gujarat village
Himatnagar (Gujarat): A Dalit labourer from Khedawada Lakshmipura village in Gujarat’s Himatnagar was allegedly beaten and abused with casteist slurs after he expressed his wish to visit a temple. The victim, identified as 38-year-old Shailesh Solanki, a daily-wage worker, has lodged a complaint with the Himatnagar rural police.
According to the FIR, the incident took place on the evening of September 26 near a crossroads in Balochpur. Solanki was waiting for transport when Bharat Patel, a resident of Dhanpura, stopped him and questioned his presence in the area. When Solanki explained that he was on his way to the Kal Bhairav temple, Patel demanded proof of his identity.
Solanki said he showed his Aadhaar card, after which Patel noticed his surname and asked if he belonged to a Scheduled Caste. Upon learning that Solanki was a Dalit, Patel allegedly began hurling casteist abuses and slapped him several times, questioning why a Dalit had come to a temple at night.
Two men from Titpur village, Narendrasinh Parmar and Jagatsinh Parmar, intervened and stopped the assault. However, Patel allegedly forced Solanki onto his scooter, took him to a secluded spot near Ghorwada, and threatened him with dire consequences if he returned.
Solanki later informed his family and met the two witnesses who had intervened. Based on his complaint, the police registered a case under sections related to assault and criminal intimidation, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The investigation into the incident is currently underway.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
