Dalit Minor Assaulted at Temple in Chittorgarh Over Caste Prejudice; Outrage Grows, Arrests Demanded

Chittorgarh- A shocking incident of caste-based violence has come to light in Ghosunda village under Chanderiya police station limits in Chittorgarh district, where a 15-year-old Dalit (Regar community) student named Chetan Prakash Regar was allegedly beaten and threatened inside the premises of Lakshmi Narayan Temple for offering prayers.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the victim, on the morning of February 7, around 8:00 AM, Chetan visited the temple for darshan (worship) and was returning when he was confronted by a person from an upper caste named Shubham Sukhwal. The accused reportedly stopped him and hurled casteist slurs, saying, “You lowly Chamar, how dare you enter our temple?” When Chetan responded that anyone can visit a temple for worship, Shubham became furious, abused him with derogatory terms like “Chamar,” “Gagarhe,” and others, and threatened, “If you ever come to our temple again, we will kill you.”

The verbal abuse soon turned physical. Shubham allegedly slapped Chetan, pushed him to the ground, and kicked him repeatedly. His associate, Pawan, also joined in the assault and attempted to cause serious harm. Somehow managing to escape, Chetan fled the spot while the accused continued shouting warnings: “Next time, Chamar, if you or any of your low-caste people come here, we will kill you.” The temple priest, Vinod is also accused of joining in by using casteist abuses and issuing death threats, warning the boy never to return.

Chetan submitted a written complaint at Chanderiya police station. On February 8, the police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – Section 126(2), 115(2) – along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, including Sections 3(1)(r)(s) and 3(2)(5). The investigation has been assigned to Brijesh Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), Chittorgarh.

The incident has sparked widespread anger in the Dalit community across Chittorgarh. Representatives from Dr. Ambedkar Welfare Society Chittorgarh, SC/ST Mahasabha Chittorgarh, and Dr. Ambedkar Nagrik Sangh Chittorgarh jointly submitted a memorandum to the District Collector for onward transmission to the Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission, strongly condemning the assault.

Rameshwar Bairwa, Convener of SC/ST Mahasabha, stated that Shubham Sukhwal and his accomplices physically assaulted and humiliated Chetan Prakash in the temple premises. “The entire Dalit society condemns this barbaric act. The failure to arrest the accused so far has created deep resentment among the SC/ST community in Chittorgarh,” he said.

Nirmal Kumar Desai, Vice President of Dr. Ambedkar Welfare Society Chittorgarh, highlighted the fear gripping the victim’s family due to the lack of arrests. “The family is undergoing severe mental trauma and lives in constant fear of further harm or any untoward incident,” he added.

Babulal Jeenwal, District President of Dr. Ambedkar Nagrik Sanghand several community leaders, including Mangilal Solanki, B.L. Meena, Ratanlal Khatik, Ambalal Sirsiya, Mausam Ali, Ratanlal Salvi, Chaman Meena, and others demanded action.

Dalit organizations have demanded immediate arrest of Shubham Sukhwal, Pawan, priest Vinod, and any other involved persons, along with provision of adequate security to the victim’s family and a fair, time-bound investigation. They argue that swift action is essential to restore faith in law and prevent recurrence of such caste atrocities in rural areas.

This case once again highlights the persistent issue of caste discrimination and violence in parts of Rajasthan, drawing attention to the need for stronger enforcement of protective laws and greater social awareness.