Huchangi Prasad warned his fingers would be cut off.
By Dileep Thekkethil
The right-wing Hindu bigots in Karnataka have once again proved their intolerance towards secular writers as a young Dalit activist and writer was allegedly assaulted by a group of unidentified men for writing an ‘anti-Hindu’ book. The incident happened in Davangere district of central Karnataka.
Huchangi Prasad, a 23-year-old Dalit student and author of the book ‘Odala Kichchu’ that discusses a subject that rallies against the archaic caste system, which is still prevalent in some parts of the country, was attacked on Wednesday and was given a warning that his fingers would be cut if he indulges writing any more book that criticizes Hindu religion.
Prasad was quoted by PTI saying, “On October 21, late night, a group of eight to nine persons came to SC/ST hostel where I reside 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.â€
Prasad, who is a student of journalism also said, “They also smeared kumkum on my face and threatened to cut my fingers for my writings.â€
Prasad suffered minor injuries in the assault and was quoted saying that “They (the attackers) said I’m born as Dalit, because of sins I had committed in my previous life.â€
When asked whether he knows who perpetrated the attack he said, “From their words it was almost clear that they are from some right wing group but I’m not completely sure.â€
RMC Yard Police Station has registered a case and said that the investigation is progressing and the suspect will be booked soon. “A complaint was filed by Prasad yesterday alleging eight to ten persons had attacked him and attempted to kill him,†a police official said to PTI.
He also added that the FIR registered against the suspects include sections from 307 (attempt to murder) and also sections of the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) of the Act Indian Penal Code.
The incident occurred at a time when close to 35 writers from different states have decided to return Sahitya Akademi award in retaliation to the rising attacks on secular writers. Earlier, renowned Kannada writer M M Kalburgi was killed and another writer K S Bhagawan had received threat from Hindu right-wing activists for his remarks against Hinduism, which some right-wing outfits said was offensive and provocative.