Clash breaks out after Dalits denied temple entry in Madhya Pradesh, 14 injured

Bhopal: At least 14 people were injured after an argument over offering Shivratri prayers led to clash between two communities in southwest Madhya Pradesh.

It all began after members of the Dalit community were allegedly stopped by upper caste men from entering a temple in Chhapra village of Khargone district, according to NDTV.

Clashes broke out from argument over Dalits praying at the Shiv temple built by three other communities in the area that sits 250 km from capital Bhopal, according to the police.

There followed stone pelting between the groups as the violence gripped the area.

"There was heavy stone pelting from both sides. Complaints have been taken from both the parties and action will be taken," senior police officer Vinod Dixit reportedly said.

Premlal, a member of the Dalit community in the area, complained to the police that a group led by Bhaiya Lal Patel of Gurjar community blocked Dalit girls from entering the temple.

Police filed cases against 17 suspects and 25 others on charges including the law to protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

A case was filed against Premlal and others by Ravindra Rao Maratha for attacking them with weapons.

Police officer Vinod Dixit said police and revenue official who visited the village convinced the people that no caste can be stopped from entering the temple.

Tension prevailed in the area over the last few days after a banyan tree was cut to erect the statue of the Dalit icon BR Ambedkar.

Gurjars filed a complaint against six people allegedly involved in cutting the tree.

"There was also an issue of axing a tree. It was explained that trees cannot be cut without permission," the police reportedly said.