Tension in Hiriyur village after Ambedkar portrait damaged in stone-pelting

CHITRADURGA: Tension prevailed for some time at Sondekere village in Hiriyur taluk on Sunday evening after a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar damaged in stone-pelting by a youth. However, the police intervened and brought the situation under control.

As part of the Kiru Deepavali (Choti Diwali) celebration, an event where bulls are made to jump over fire (kichchu haayisodu) was organised in the village. One of the youths had adorned the horns of his bull with a portrait of Ambedkar. It is said that another youth belonging to a different community threw at stone, damaging the protrait.

The police have called a peace meeting between the two groups.

This led to a verbal clash between two groups and a video was shared widely on social media. Dalit youths have vented their anger over the incident. With tensions still simmering, the Aimangala police have called a peace meeting between the two groups.