Dalits in Surpur village say they’re forced to eat meat of sacrificed buffaloes, petition DC and SP

YADGIR: Dalits in Surpur taluk have raised their voice against a discriminatory practice followed during the Devikera temple fair wherein the community is forced to eat the meat of sacrificed buffaloes.

The Devikera temple fair is being held on December 16 and 17 wherein animals are sacrificed for goddesses Dyamavva, Maremmaand Palkamma. The Dalits say that are forced to eat the meat of the buffaloes that are sacrificed during the fair. If they do not consume the meat, they are not allowed entry into the village, they claimed.

The Dalit community has petitioned the DC and SP against the practice.

The community members, under the banner of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, have petitioned the district deputy commissioner, police superintendent and the zilla panchayat CEO to put an end to the practice.

Samiti state convenor Mallikarjun Kranti said buffaloes are sacrificied not only in Devkera, but several other surrounding villages. Apart from this, many other animals are also sacrificed at the numerous fairs held in Surpur and Hunasagi taluks during December and the district administration should put an end to this, he insisted.