The family of the Dalit boy in Ullerahalli, Kolar district, which was slapped with a ₹60,000 fine by the village panchayat after the boy accidentally touched the wooden pole of the village deity, removed portraits of gods from their house and replaced them with those of Buddha and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Shobha, mother of the boy, told to The Hindu, “During my difficult times, no gods have come to my support. I got justice only from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constitution of India. Therefore, I removed all the gods’ portraits from my home and replaced them with Buddha and Dr. Ambedkar portraits.”
Coinciding with this, S. Muniswamy, MP Kolar Lok Sabha constituency, took the family to the village temple, entry to which was restricted for many decades. They also performed puja in the temple along with the MP.
