The incident occurred at the Ramji Temple during a temple consecration and idol installation ceremony, where members of the Scheduled Caste community were reportedly insulted and prevented from participating equally in a communal meal.
According to a formal complaint filed by Ajaybhai Chaturbhai Boricha, the confrontation began when he and other members of his community arrived at the temple to receive sacred food offerings. The complaint alleges that the accused, including Babubhai Ukabhai Dudhani, deliberately targeted the Scheduled Caste devotees, instructing them to remain separate from the rest of the gathering.
The victims further alleged verbal abuse and claimed they were explicitly told they could not dine alongside other attendees. It is also stated that plates and bowls were forcibly removed from their hands to stop them from participating in the communal feast.
Umesh Nagwan, one of the complainants, expressed deep disappointment over the treatment meted out during the village religious program. He stated that members of the Scheduled Caste community were made to sit separately, were served water separately, and were instructed to bring their own utensils from home. He remarked that despite decades of independence, such practices reflecting social exclusion still persist, calling it a serious concern for society. He confirmed that an FIR has been registered and the community is demanding justice.
Police have registered a case against five individuals under relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with charges of intentional insult and criminal intimidation. The accused are currently under investigation.
Local authorities and police officials have intervened to maintain order in the village as tensions remain high. Investigators are recording statements from witnesses present at the temple to verify the sequence of events and ensure a thorough inquiry into allegations of systemic discrimination during the religious gathering.
The incident has once again brought attention to the persistence of caste-based exclusion in rural social and religious spaces, raising serious concerns about equality and social harmony.
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