Infant Succumbs to Injuries After Alleged Caste-Based Assault at Telangana Temple Festival
In a tragic incident that has sparked outrage, a two-month-old baby girl died after she and her family were allegedly attacked by a group of upper-caste men during the Kummera jatara festival in Nagarkurnool, Telangana. The victim's family, hailing from Kummera village, belongs to the backward Chakali community, and the attack reportedly occurred when they refused to pay an unauthorized entry fee to the temple.
Details of the Alleged Attack and Family's Ordeal
According to the complaint filed by Chilukeshwaram Chandrakala, the family was targeted on February 18 after they declined to pay Rs 100 for temple entry, which is typically free. Chandrakala claimed that the assailants called them "lower caste" and assaulted them when they resisted the demand. In a harrowing account, she stated that her infant granddaughter was harmed when her daughter-in-law, Mounika, placed the baby at the feet of the accused, pleading for mercy and asking them to stop beating her husband, Ganesh, who is Chandrakala's younger son.
Chandrakala further alleged that women in the family were dragged by their hair and struck with metal rods, while Ganesh was attacked by four individuals using a rod meant for breaking coconuts. During the altercation, one person from the opposing group reportedly got injured after accidentally hitting a wall. The family also accused the attackers of stealing their belongings, including gold earrings, silver bangles, and a mobile phone.
Police Response and Legal Actions
Nagarkurnool police confirmed that they have filed a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested three individuals in connection with the case. Initially, charges were filed under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) for suspicious death, along with Sections 115 for voluntarily causing hurt, 352 read with 3(5) for intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, and 174 for non-cognisable offence procedures. However, after it emerged that Mounika belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, authorities also registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with attempt to murder.
A police official stated that a post-mortem examination was conducted on the deceased infant, and further investigation will proceed based on its findings. The baby succumbed to her injuries on February 21, three days after the incident. In a related development, a counter case was filed against Chandrakala's family based on a complaint from the opposite party.
Protests and Allegations of Systemic Harassment
The family, supported by members of the Dharma Samaj Party (DSP), staged a protest demanding justice for the child. V Shiva Maharaj of the DSP alleged that the family was targeted not only for refusing to pay the entry fee but also because they had previously refused to work as bonded labourers, facing ongoing harassment from upper-caste men. Chandrakala added in her complaint that the accused threatened to harm them if they returned to Kummera village and to demolish their house, forcing the family to seek refuge in Nagarkurnool out of fear.
This incident highlights deep-seated issues of caste-based discrimination and violence in the region, with authorities continuing their investigation to ensure accountability and justice for the grieving family.
