Ganesh Procession turns violent: caste tensions erupt in Saroornagar
Dilsukhnagar: In a shocking incident that has exposed the simmering caste tensions in Hyderabad’s outskirts, what began as a joyous Ganesh procession in Saroor Nagar ended in violence and fear. The tranquil streets of this suburban area, under the Rachakonda commissionerate, became an unexpected battleground, leaving a community traumatized.
As the colorful Ganesh procession organized by the Dalit community wound its way through the streets towards the immersion point, little did the participants know that their festive mood would soon be shattered. The procession, a symbol of cultural unity and religious fervor, instead became a target of alleged caste-based hostility near Aurobindo College in Kothapet.
According to the complaint, the peaceful procession took a dark turn when it encountered a group of allegedly intoxicated individuals. The accused, identified as Jakkidi Raghuveer Reddy, Vijay Jakkidi Pratak, and others, reportedly launched verbal abuse, using caste slurs and threatening language against the Dalit community, especially women.
Dalit community targeted
The situation quickly escalated from verbal assault to physical violence. In a disturbing turn of events, the accused allegedly attacked the procession members with iron rods, targeting individuals including Swarupa, Dhanraj, Malathi, Kaja Jaswanth, Sreeja, Sai Teja, and Varun, including the vehicle driver.
Subsequently, the victim approached the police and lodged a complaint. The complainant alleged that the attackers behaved obscenely towards the women in the group, adding another layer of trauma to the already distressing experience. “The victims state that they can identify their assailants if they see them again,” said Saroornagar police.
In response to the complaint, the Saroor Nagar police have registered a case against Jakkidi Raghuveer Reddy, Vijay Jakkidi Pratak and others under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and other relevant sections of the BNS. The police booked the accused under 118(1)(Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 79 (insult the modesty of any woman), 115(2)(voluntarily causing hurt) and further investigation is underway.
