Dalit writer assaulted for ‘anti-Hindu’ writings

Amid continuing countrywide protests by writers over “rising intolerance”, a young Dalit activist and writer was allegedly attacked by unidentified men, whom he suspects to be right-wing activists, for his “anti-Hindu” writings at Davangere in Central Karnataka. 

Huchangi Prasad, a 23-year-old student and author of a book ‘Odala Kichchu’ that speaks against the caste system, alleged that he was assaulted on Wednesday and threatened that his fingers would be chopped off for writing against Hinduism. 

“On October 21, late night, a group of eight to nine people came to SC/ST hostel, where I live, and told me that my mother was unwell. Worried, I followed them. They took me to a place and started threatening and assaulting me for writing against Hinduism and caste system,” Prasad said.

Prasad, a journalism student, alleged, “They also smeared kumkum on my face and threatened to chop off my fingers for my writings.” 

He added that he had received some minor injuries in the attack, adding: “They (the attackers) said I am born a Dalit, because of sins that I had committed in my previous life.” 

Asked if the men belonged to any particular group, Prasad said: “From their words, it was clear that they were from some right-wing group but I am not sure.”

A case has been registered against unidentified people at the RMC Yard police station in this regard. The police said they are on a lookout for the suspects. 

“A complaint was filed by Prasad on Thursday, alleging that 8-10 people had attacked him and tried to kill him,” a police official said. 

He said case was registered under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 307 (attempt to murder), as also under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 

The incident has occurred at a time when at least 35 writers from across the country have announced their decision to return their Sahitya Akademi awards to protest the “rising intolerance” in the country and the killing of Kannada writer and rationalist MM Kalburgi at Dharwad in north Karnataka. Another Kannada free thinker and writer KS Bhagwan had also received threats for his remarks against Hinduism and its deities which the right-wing groups saw as “offensive” and “provocative” hurting Hindu sentiments.