In a shocking incident that unfolded in Kalaburagi district, a hostel student was subjected to physical abuse and humiliation for allegedly refusing to attend the weekly ‘Ambedkar Puja’ held in the hostel. The distressing event occurred on Thursday, leaving the victim half-naked and paraded through the streets of Kalaburagi while holding a portrait of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

According to reports, the victim had declined participation in the ‘Ambedkar Puja’ due to prior commitments. In response, fellow hostel residents verbally abused and assaulted the student. The situation escalated as he was forcibly stripped half-naked and paraded in a humiliating manner.

Local authorities have taken swift action, registering a case at the Ashok Nagar police station. An ongoing investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for the assault.

This incident comes on the heels of recent protests in Kalaburagi following the defilement of an Ambedkar statue earlier in the week. Miscreants had desecrated the statue with a garland of footwear at Lumbini Gardens in Kotnoor (D) village, leading to widespread condemnation.

The discovery of the defiled statue prompted hundreds of people, led by various Dalit organizations, to take to the streets in protest. Demonstrators expressed their outrage by hurling stones at a petrol bunk owned by BJP city unit president Chandrakanth Patil and staging a vehicular blockade involving the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Kanika Sikriwal.

In response to the escalating tensions, DCP Sikriwal visited the site of the statue defilement in Kotnoor (D) village, paying floral tribute to Dr Ambedkar in an effort to restore calm. A case was promptly registered at the University Police Station, leading to the detention of two suspects for interrogation. Three investigative teams have been formed to apprehend the remaining culprits involved in the statue desecration.