A case of alleged caste discrimination has emerged from Gujarat’s Junagadh district, where members of the Dalit community have accused temple organisers of practicing untouchability during a religious event.
According to police, an FIR has been registered at Visavadar police station against five persons after a complaint by 25-year-old Ajay Chatur Boricha, a resident of Bhutdi village.
Boricha alleged that he and other members of the Scheduled Caste community were invited to a temple consecration ceremony but were asked to follow humiliating conditions.
“We were told to bring our own plates and glasses, eat separately after others had finished, and not enter the temple,” Boricha said in his complaint.
Allegations Linked to Ram Temple Consecration Event
The incident is linked to a “pran pratishtha” ceremony of a Lord Ram temple held on April 29. According to the FIR, organisers approached around 10 Dalit residents on April 27 and invited them to the event, but allegedly imposed discriminatory conditions.
The complainant claimed the organisers told them their food and water would be arranged separately and that they should attend only after people from other castes had finished eating.
Members of the Dalit community said they refused to participate under such conditions, calling it “clear untouchability-like behaviour” and an insult to their dignity.
Following the complaint, the planned community dinner was cancelled, though the temple ceremony went ahead as scheduled.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.