NALANDA, BIHAR, INDIA, October 13, 2008: Tension prevails in Garai village of Nalanda district after a Dalit was killed in a clash with upper castes on Dussehra night over making an offering to Goddess Durga. Three Dalits were also injured in the violence.
The trouble started when members of the Dalit community reportedly asked the temple priest to let them be the first to offer prasad to the goddess. The upper castes, who had been waiting in the queue for some time, opposed it. We have contributed equal amount for the puja. Why should they (upper castes) be given priority, Karu Paswan, a Dalit, reportedly asked the priest. This led to an exchange of words between Paswan and the priest. The upper-caste people present intervened, triggering a clash, and one of them opened fire.