The upper caste people, mostly Vokkaligas, allegedly took away the ‘Utsava Murthy’, the metallic festival idol of the deity for performing rituals outside the temple in Hanakere village.

Heavy police force has been deployed in Hanakere in view of the prevailing tension.

According to sources, there was an old Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy temple in the village and Dalits were never allowed to enter it.

About three years ago, the old dilapidated structure was demolished and a new temple was built. Recently, the shrine came under the control of the Religious Endowment Department of the state government.

Soon, Dalits decided to enter the temple but the members of the upper caste communities did not agree.

The Dalits complained to the district administration about the discrimination done against them. Subsequently, two peace meetings were conducted but they failed.

On Sunday, the Dalits entered the temple amid police security. The upper caste members who were upset with the development took away the festival idol.

“Let them keep the temple, we will take the deity with us,” one of them was heard saying.