HATHRAS — As many 17 people have been booked following a clash between police and Dalit locals over “removal of idols and pictures of Hindu Gods” at a religious function, Gautam Buddha story event, organised in Jatoi village under Sadabad police circle, police sources said on Thursday.
While members of the Dalits claimed that police misbehaved with them, police say they had reached the spot after they received complaints about an event being held without permission on Wednesday night.
According to police sources, a video, which went viral on social media, shows youths removing pictures of Hindu Gods from the walls of houses.
A youth with a sack can be seen and heard saying, “Have you seen any picture of Babasaheb or Gautam Buddha at the house of a Brahmin? Why have you people put these pictures inside this sack?”
Taking cognisance of the viral video, police launched an investigation and reached the spot.
Ashish Kumar, SHO of Sadabad police station, said, “The police team was attacked when they enquired whether permission was taken to organise the religious event by Dalit youths. A Sub-Inspector and a constable sustained injuries in the attack.
Seventeen attackers and 50 unidentified people have been booked under various sections. A probe is on in the matter.”
After the incident, a Dalit youth, Udayveer, reportedly said, the Police officers have promised to look into the matter of misbehaviour by some cops but they have registered a case against us.
“We have stopped our Gautam Buddha story event and will resume after taking permission. We have nothing to do with the viral video.,” he said. — IANS (Inputs added)
