Infant dies in Nagar Kurnool after caste-based temple assault
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Hyderabad: A two-month-old infant succumbed to injuries from an alleged caste-driven attack at the Kummera Mallanna Jathara in Nagar Kurnool mandal on February 21. The family claims they were barred from entering the temple, beaten by organizers, and denied police help.
Chakali Chandrakala, her son Ganesh, daughter-in-law, and daughter arrived for Mallanna darshan during the jathara. Organizers—including village sarpanch Tukaram Reddy, Undyala Srinivas Reddy, Srikant Reddy, Satish Reddy Kannireddy, and Kufender Reddy—allegedly stopped them at the gate. When Chandrakala protested, the group reportedly hurled caste-based abuses and assaulted the family, ignoring pleas to halt due to the infant's presence.
The family alleges one assailant kicked the two-month-old child, who fell critically ill and was rushed to a hospital. Despite treatment, the infant died. They attribute the denial of temple entry to their backward caste status.
Approaching Nagarkurnool Police Station for justice, the family says officers threatened them and refused to file a report. Victims claim the organizers, from an upper caste and linked to the Congress party, used their clout to evade accountability.
The family now seeks protection, a thorough probe, and severe punishment for those responsible.
