The scars of Dalit Christian massacres in Karamchedu, Tsunduru, Lakshimpeta remain raw, a haunting reminder of the brutal casteist violence that stains our society. Yet, even as these wounds bleed, the denial persists, a cruel veil over the atrocities inflicted upon Dalits every single day. And now, here we stand, witness to yet another ghastly chapter of horror etched in the soil of Telangana, a testament to the savagery of ‘Backward Caste’ marauders.
Make no mistake, this is not an isolated incident. It’s a recurring nightmare, where the oppressed become prey to the insatiable hunger of those drunk on their own casteist supremacy. Time and again, we see the vile spectacle of ‘Backward Castes’ seizing the reins of power to unleash their fury upon Dalits, a grotesque display of servility to the entrenched caste hierarchy.
The rage burns within us, a fiery outcry against the systemic oppression that engulfs our nation. The blood spilled in Karamchedu, Tsunduru, Lakshimpeta cries out for justice, its echoes reverberating through the corridors of power, demanding an end to this reign of terror.
Approximately 20 Dalits, including two children, suffered injuries during a communal assault that occurred in Janwada village within Telangana’s Rangareddy district on February 13th. Allegedly orchestrated by a 200-member mob representing dominant Yadav, Mudiraj, and other Backward Class (BC) groups, purportedly affiliated with the Hindu extremist faction Bajrang Dal, the attack targeted Dalits from the Madiga community amid a dispute over road widening. The assault transpired while Dalits were engaged in prayer within a church. The assailants, chanting slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, vandalized the crucifix, chairs, and the church’s roof, as recounted by the victims.
Reports suggest that tensions had arisen between Dalit Christians in the village and dominant castes regarding the widening of a road, allegedly encroaching upon a portion of the church’s land.
On the evening of February 14th, as concrete cement road (CC) construction progressed near Janwada village’s main junction, some church members, engaged in prayer inside, voiced objections, insisting that road construction should adhere to existing parameters. In response, Talasari Maisah, a former Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) member associated with the Congress and overseeing road construction, purportedly resorted to casteist slurs and abused Dalits, sparking a violent escalation. About 200 men from dominant caste groups then attacked the church, chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ while pelting Dalits inside the church with stone gravel used for road construction.
Videos of the incident depict a volatile scene, with a mob seizing control of the church and women pleading for assistance while law enforcement struggled to contain the situation.
Subsequently, an FIR was filed by K Balaiah, the church’s head who sustained injuries, prompting the Mokila police to take action. Charges include rioting with deadly weapons, criminal trespass, mischief causing damage, deliberate acts intended to outrage religious beliefs, causing hurt by dangerous weapons, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace, criminal intimidation, and unlawful assembly. Additionally, the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was invoked.
Six individuals, including key figures like Talari Maisaiah and Goudicharla Narsimha, were arrested, while others remain at large. In response, Dalit Christians staged a road blockade on February 14th, joined by BSP leader RS Praveen Kumar, who questioned the delay in arrests.
Janwada village, primarily populated by Yadavas, Mudiraj, and other BC castes, hosts approximately 700 SC Madiga members, including Dalit Christians, among its 4000 residents. The village houses three churches, and according to residents, church elders had previously alerted authorities about the road’s alignment vis-a-vis the church’s property.
Named perpetrators allegedly include Veedulakanti Gopal, Goudicherla Narsimha, Talari Maisaiah, Mothkupalli Krishna, Mokthupalli Srikanth, and Srinu, affiliated with various political and caste entities, as highlighted by Dalit Christians and BSP leader Vijay Arya, who described the attack as premeditated.
Local Dalits recounted past instances of caste-based discrimination and hostility, including ostracism and denial of access to village amenities, underscoring deep-seated tensions between Dalits and dominant castes in Janwada village.
