Kozhikode: The Kerala State Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Commission has sought a report from the Kozhikode district police chief within 10 days over allegations that a “purification ritual” was carried out in front of the Changaroth panchayat office in Perambra to insult its outgoing president, Unni Vengeri, who belongs to the Dalit community.

The Commission acted on media reports alleging that dung water was sprinkled and a ritual performed outside the panchayat office as a form of humiliation. The Commission chairperson said police have also been directed to register a case based on the complaint, conduct an investigation and initiate appropriate legal action.

Perambra police told Onmanorama that during victory celebrations on Monday, a group of United Democratic Front activists sprinkled water outside the panchayat office and swept the area. "We have not registered a case as no formal complaint has been filed regarding the incident yet," police said.

Meanwhile, Vengeri alleged that IUML activists were behind the act. Noting that no similar celebrations took place in three other panchayats won by the UDF from the LDF, he said the incident at Changaroth stood out as he was a Dalit panchayat president.

“If anyone views this as a casteist insult, can they be faulted?” he asked, adding that the incident caused him emotional distress. He said the panchayat functioned inclusively during the previous five years under LDF rule and alleged that the IUML acted with a specific agenda.

IUML leaders, however, denied the allegations, saying youths had merely cleaned the area using water and a broom to symbolically convey that the panchayat was being rid of corruption.

The incident has triggered political protests in the district. The CPM’s youth wing, DYFI, on Tuesday held a march to the Changaroth panchayat office, condemning the alleged act. Police said the protest was peaceful and that there was no tension in the area. They added that the Left Democratic Front would hold another protest march later in the day.