9-day ritual to purify temple 'corrupted' by Dalits

DEHRADUN: The Silgur devta temple in Pokhri village of the Jaunsar Bawar region, which witnessed unruly scenes on Friday when a mob attacked Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay with stones for entering the premises with Dalits, would now conduct a "long purification ritual of nine days." A temple official said that they needed to conduct purifying poojas since the temple had been "desecrated by the entry of Dalits."

"The dev doli of Silgur Devta that was brought after a gap of 36 years to our village was defiled. The devta is upset. We will now undergo a nine-day purification rituals to appease it," said an official of the temple samiti. Meanwhile, many Dalits of the area have started fleeing from their homes for the fear of a backlash from upper caste members.

Almost 100 villagers converged at Doon hospital on Sunday where their leader Daulat Kunwar is admitted and said they will not return to their area till they are assured of their safety.

Meanwhile, a joint team of revenue police and regular police carried out a series of raids and arrested one more person accused of attacking Tarun Vijay and the group of Dalits.