The protest over the alleged insult to the Dalit icon Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar going on since October 8 in Bhalswagaj has ended after the teacher, allegedly responsible for the incident, apologised on Thursday.
It is learnt that a student of an inter-college located in Bhalswagaj alleged that his teacher had broken a locket he was wearing with the picture of Ambedkar embossed on it. Tension erupted as the locals, particularly some Dalit youths, gathered at the educational institution on Thursday, demanding action against the accused teacher.
Police from Jhabreda and Bhagwanpur police stations rushed to the scene. The local MlA Mamta Rakesh, BJP leader Subodh Rakesh and other political leaders also reached there. The leaders persuaded the agitating Dalits to withdraw after the accused teacher agreed to apologise. One of the agitating Dalits said they would not bear any insult being hurled on their revered icon. “We are at the receiving end of atrocities and humiliation across the state. It is thus time for us to rise like one man against any insult hurled on our community,” he said.
As a goodwill, the teacher offered flowers at a statue of Ambedkar. The school followed suit by declaring a holiday on April 14 as Ambedkar Jayanti. Swaroop said, “The matter has been resolved amicably and there is no tension in the area.”