Chikkamagaluru: A Dalit family was attacked by a group of right-wing activists who suspected that the family had consumed beef.

The complaint lodged by Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum stated that a group of right-wing activists attacked the Dalit family on July 17. In the attack, a differently-abled man and three other family members suffered serious injuries.

The General Secretary of the Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum said, “40-50 Bajrang Dal activists attacked the family. Three of those who were hit are seriously injured. While some people have been arrested in the case, they are now out on bail.”

It is learnt that seven suspects have been arrested and booked under  the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act.

It may be recalled that few days ago, a cow brigade flogged and shamed four Dalit men for skinning a dead cow in Gujarat’s Una town. In September last year, 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was dragged out of his home and killed by a mob of at least 100 in Uttar Pradesh’s Dadri over rumours that he had stored beef.

The Dadri incident and other attacks linked to cow-killing and beef-eating were held up by opposition parties and activists as examples of rising intolerance and bullying by groups linked to the BJP.