A sad incident took place on Sunday in Vijayapura, Karnataka, but came to light only on Wednesday. A Dalit father and his son were tied to a tree and were brutally beaten up.
A group of Muslims tied up the father and 22 year old son after their daughter eloped with the Dalit’s other son.The victims were identified as Mareppa Harijan and his son Ramesh who were brutally injured in Halagundakanal village.
The relatives of the girl who eloped with Mareppa’s son Nigappa decided to beat the family up in response.
The youngest son of Mareppa, Ambarish Harijan spoke to a news channel and said Ningappa had fallen in love with a girl from Neeralagi village and had eloped 20 days ago.
Ambarish was quoted as saying, “We approached girl’s family members and requested them to send Ningappa home if they find him. However, seven members of the girl’s family rushed to our village on June 25 and tied our father Mareppa to tree and started assaulting him. When my brother Ramesh objected, he too was tied to a tree and beaten up.”
The reason for the incident being reported late was the Dalit family initially decided not to file and complaint but later on Wednesday decided to go to the police station to do so. At present, the victim, Mareppa is at Vijayapura District Government Hospital undergoing treatment.
The SP at Vijayapura Kuldeep Jain, reported one person was arrested in connection with the incident. The police also revealed the names of the accused, Babu Mujawar, Shareef Mujawar (16), Maibubsab Majuwar, Ammensab Majuwar, Allabaksh Majuwar, Khadersab Majuwar and Rafeek Majuwar.
The assault has been termed as a personal dispute and not a caste issue by the villagers.
