Mangalore : The brutal assault on two young Dalit sisters, allegedly by Bhajrangdal activists at Guruvayanakere recently, led to heated discussions at the SC/ST Grievance Redressal meeting held at the SP office on August 4, Sunday. It may be recalled here that the incident had taken place on July 17 wherein the girls were assaulted for dressing ‘indecently’
Dalit leaders strongly resented the police inaction in the case despite lodging of three separate complaints.
Dalit leader Honnappa sought action against the attackers under Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, as one of the victims was a minor. He said the two sisters, one a minor and another married, were attacked when they were waiting for the bus. They were ill-treated even at the Belthangady police station where they were labeled as prostitutes, Honnappa complained.
Dalit Sangharsha Samithi leader P Keshava said the incident of assault on Dalit sisters was nothing but moral policing.
Meanwhile, President of Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samithi L Shekhar created a furore at the meeting by stating that the girls ought to have dressed decently.
Reacting to the case, District Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goel said the victims, a Dalit organization of Mangalore and another Dalit body of Belthangady have lodged separate complaints. He said the ASP will be probing and submitting a report within a week. Action will then follow on the basis of the report,the SP informed.