Rajasthan: Priest In Jalore ‘Stops’ Dalit Couple From Offering Prayers At Temple, Arrested

Purported videos of the incident wherein a priest stopped a Dalit couple from offering prayers at a temple in Jalore surfaced on social media.

The preist arrest came after a video of the incident that took place on Friday surfaced on social media.

Source : ANI | Video Screenshot

New Delhi: Rajasthan police have arrested a priest in Jalore for allegedly not allowing a Dalit couple to offer prayers at a temple.

The arrest was done after a video of the incident, that took place on Friday, surfaced on social media.

"On the night of April 22, we received information that an unmarried Dalit couple's entry was stopped into a temple. We registered a case and arrested the accused priest on April 23. Further investigation is underway," Himmat Charan, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jalore said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

A video purportedly shows the priest stopping the couple at the temple gate, another video also shows arguments that ensued between them.

ABP News could not independently check the veracity of the videos.

#Casteism In Jalore, Rajasthan, Dalit bride and groom were prevented from entering the temple, the Hindu priest said- 'a place has been made outside for people like you', A case has been registered under the SC-ST Act.https://t.co/xdGrCwv4w9pic.twitter.com/lv7gd6UocL

— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) April 25, 2022

The FIR was lodged after a video went viral purportedly showing Vela Bharti (the priest) stopping the couple at the gate of the temple at Neelkanth village.

via whatsapp pic.twitter.com/rJiR8kwpBI

— Tabeenah Anjum (@TabeenahAnjum) April 24, 2022

One of the tweets claimed that the priest told the couple: "A place has been made outside for people like you".

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Water Resources Minister Mahesh Joshi condemned the incident, saying that all religions are equal.

The Minister demanded strict action against the priest, ANI reported.