The 'Utsava Murthy', the metallic festival idol of the deity, was purportedly taken away by the upper caste members, primarily Vokkaligas, for conducting ceremonies outside the temple in Hanakere village. Given the current tension, a large police presence has been placed in Hanakere. Dalits were never permitted to attend the village's ancient Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy temple, according to accounts.
A new temple was constructed around three years ago after the previous, run-down building was destroyed. The state government's Religious Endowment Department recently took possession of the shrine. Dalits soon decided to enter the shrine, but the upper caste members disagreed.
The district government received complaints from the Dalits on the prejudice they were subjected to. Two further attempts at peace talks failed. In the presence of police, the Dalits entered the shrine on Sunday. The celebration idol was removed by the upper caste people who were offended by the change. One of them was heard to say, "We will take the deity with us, so let them keep the temple."
Dalits decided to enter the temple but the members of the upper caste communities did not agree. A heavy police force has been deployed in Hanakere in view of the prevailing tension.
A new temple was constructed around three years ago after the previous, run-down building was destroyed. The state government's Religious Endowment Department recently took possession of the shrine. Dalits soon decided to enter the shrine, but the upper caste members disagreed.
The district government received complaints from the Dalits on the prejudice they were subjected to. Two further attempts at peace talks failed. In the presence of police, the Dalits entered the shrine on Sunday. The celebration idol was removed by the upper caste people who were offended by the change. One of them was heard to say, "We will take the deity with us, so let them keep the temple."
Dalits decided to enter the temple but the members of the upper caste communities did not agree. A heavy police force has been deployed in Hanakere in view of the prevailing tension.
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