Members of the Dalit community in Bhutdi village, Junagadh district, Gujarat, alleged they were asked to bring their own plates and eat separately after others during a Lord Ram temple consecration. Ajay Chatur Boricha, 25, filed a complaint against five individuals. Police have registered a case and launched a probe.
The consecration of a Lord Ram temple took place on April 29 evening in Bhutdi village, Visavadar taluka, Junagadh district, Gujarat. Members of the Dalit community alleged that on April 27 around 5 pm, organisers extended an invitation with conditions for the post-event dinner.
Ajay Chatur Boricha, 25, claimed in his complaint, “We were asked to bring our own plates and glasses and sit to eat separately prepared food after the others had taken dinner, and were asked not to go to the temple itself.” The complaint was filed at Visavadar police station on April 28 and converted into an FIR.
DySP Ravirajsinh Parmar stated, “We have taken the statements of the complainant and other witnesses. Notices under BNSS 35(3) have been issued to all the accused to appear before the police. We are also trying to see if any digital evidence is available.” While the pran pratishtha proceeded, the village dinner was cancelled.
The five accused organisers—Babu Uka Hapani, Narendra Bhanji Siroya, Ramnik Samji Sorathiya, Atul Bhikha Siroya, and Fula Popat Siroya—were booked under BNS sections 196(2) promoting enmity between groups and 54 abettor present, along with SC/ST Act sections 3(1)r, 3(1)zaA, and 3(1)zaC for intentional insults to Scheduled Caste members.
