Karnataka: 17 booked for caste attack on Dalits over burial pit dispute
In a disturbing incident highlighting entrenched caste practices, the Shorapur police in Yadgir district, Karnataka, have registered a case against 17 individuals for allegedly assaulting and threatening a Dalit family. The incident occurred on August 1 in Shakhapur (SH) village, and the FIR was filed based on a complaint by Devappa Shivappa Talwar, a Dalit resident of the village.
According to the FIR, the trouble began on July 25 when a woman from the Valmiki community died. Devappa and a relative were summoned to dig the burial pit, as is traditionally expected of Dalits in the area. The two refused, citing ill health. This refusal is said to have angered some villagers.
On August 1, Devappa went to a local borewell to draw water, where he was confronted by the accused. Later the same day, Devappa, his wife Lalita, and three relatives—Bhimavva, Siddamma, and Gangamma—were intercepted on their way to the fields. The FIR alleges that the group was attacked with sticks, kicked, and subjected to casteist abuse. They were threatened with death if they continued to refuse digging burial pits.
The injured were treated at the taluk hospital. Thereafter, Devappa lodged a police complaint. The Shorapur police registered a case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS) 2023, including sections 189(2) and 191(2) related to unlawful assembly and rioting, 115(2) for voluntary causing hurt, and 352 for intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace. Charges were also filed under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, specifically sections 3(1)(5), 3(1)(2), and 3(2)(v-a), which deal with caste-based offences.
The accused include Siddappa Shivaraya Devadurga, Nagappa Mariyappa Masali, Malappa Mudukappa Pujari, Huligeppagouda Yallayyagouda Police Patil, Mariyappa Basanagouda Maligouda, Gangappa Narayanappa Policegouda, Bheemanagouda Ninganagouda Malipatil, Mallesh Ningappa Maligoudar, Nagappa Huligeppa Policegoudar, Bheemanna Ramangouda Police Patil, Hanumanth Bheemanna Bhairamaddi, Mounesh Bhimappa, Bhimanna Paner, Mallappa Ramanagouda Police Patil, Devamma Hanumanth Malipatil, Bhimavva Mareppa Malipatil, and Parashuram Eshappa Sugur. While Nagappa belongs to the Ediga community and Malappa to the Kuruba community, the rest are from the Valmiki community.
Superintendent of Police Pruthvik Shankar confirmed that an investigation is underway. To maintain peace and ensure the safety of the Dalit families, additional police personnel have been deployed in Shakhapur (SH) village. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Shorapur) and officials from the Social Welfare Department have also visited the village to assess the situation.
This incident brings to the fore the continued prevalence of forced caste-based duties in rural India. The practice of compelling Dalits to perform tasks such as digging burial pits is a form of untouchability, which is abolished under Article 17 of the Constitution. The legal framework, including the SC/ST Act, is designed to deter such acts and provide relief to victims. The swift registration of charges and the presence of police indicate that the authorities are treating the matter with seriousness.
The case also underscores the need for greater awareness and social reform, as the accused include members of the Valmiki community, itself a Scheduled Caste. This complexity shows that caste discrimination can be internalised across communities, and legal action alone may not suffice. However, the law will take its course, and the investigation will determine the facts.
