MYSURU, 22 JAN

BJP MP Pratap Simmha on Monday was stopped by Dalits from participating in a foundation laying event of a temple in Mysuru’s Gujjegowdanapura village, ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

The bhoomi pooja was to be held for Ram temple construction, at the site where the black stone used to sculpt the Ram Lalla idol installed in Ayodhya was found.

Dalits accused the BJP MP of neglecting them for the past decade and hurled anti-Dalit slogans at him.

Simmha was also accused of making derogatory statements about Dalits.

MLA GT Deve Gowda had announced the construction of the Ram Mandir at the site. While former minister SR Mahesh and Devegowda took part in the ceremony, Simmha was forced to leave.

The video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, a man tells Simmha, "You haven't done anything. We have done everything. We also respect Lord Ram. Please get out.”

The villages accused him of never visiting the village in 10 years and said that he was there now for political reasons. "You never bothered to listen to us, and we do not want you to come here," said another man.

Simmha is seen arguing with the angry mob but after a few minutes, a policewoman intervenes and escorts Simmha into his vehicle.