Bengaluru: At a time when litterateurs countrywide are making a hue and cry over rising intolerance following the brutal killing of Kannada litterateur, Dr M.M. Kalburgi, a Dalit writer and journalism student of Davangere was allegedly attacked by a group of unidentified people for his “anti-Hindu” writings on the night of October 21.
According to the police, Ucchangi Prasad, a 23-year-old second year student at Davangere University has claimed that he was attacked by seven to eight people who threatened to cut off his fingers if he continued to write against Hinduism.
Mr Prasad had written a Kannada book, Odala Kichchu, highlighting the caste system, which was released on March 29, 2015. The next day (March 30) he received a threatening call which he did not report to the police.
Davangere SP Dr Boralingaiah told Deccan Chronicle that on October 21 at around 11:30 pm, an unidentified person came to the SC/ST hostel where Prasad resides and asked for him. Mr Prasad was told that his mother, Yashodamma, has suffered a heart attack and had been admitted to Davangere PG Hospital where he had to reach immediately.
Mr Prasad followed the stranger on his motorcycle but grew suspicious when he stopped his two-wheeler near a deserted place. Suddenly, a group of 7-8 people came out from the bushes and attacked him for writing against Hinduism. The group allegedly threatened him with dire consequences if he continued to write against Hinduism, Mr Prasad said in his complaint.
The SP said, “The nature of the incident indicates that it must be the handiwork of a right wing group. Mr Prasad does not remember the attackers except the colour of the bike the stranger was using”. Four special teams have been constituted to nab the culprits. A case has been registered at RMC Yard police station.
