Claims family deeply disturbed by humiliation, says father didn’t do anything wrong
Munish Sood
MANDI/KULLU:
Anshumala, the daughter of Kullu Tehsildar who was allegedly assaulted by followers of local deities during the International Kullu Dussehra festival, has strongly criticised the district administration and the police for failing to take action.
Speaking to the media, Anshumala said the incident has shaken her family and raised serious concerns about the safety of ordinary citizens at the festival.
“My father went there to perform his official duty. He did not go there disrespectfully. He is an administrative officer doing his job. Yet, he was grabbed by the collar, dragged and beaten up. Anyone visiting the fair could face the same violence,” she said.
Anshumala said no officer had so far taken decisive action against the people who attacked her father. “Our family is extremely disturbed. My mother, a deeply religious woman, even thought about suicide because of the public humiliation we faced. We have never experienced anything like this before. We also respect the deities, but this attack is wrong,” she said.
Says father accidentally stepped onto mat with shoes
She admitted that her father’s shoe accidentally entered the tent but stressed that it did not justify the assault. “My father was on duty even after 5 pm. For the past three days, a conspiracy was hatched against him only because he was working. Every year, he is assigned this duty because he is reliable. If a disaster happens in Kullu, my father is called because he is the one who works. He even leaves food and rest to complete his duty,” she said.
Anshumala also questioned the police presence at the festival. “Where was the police? How many officers were deployed in each sector? If such treatment can happen to a magistrate, then anyone could commit a crime and escape. Neither the DC nor the SP have made any statements. The local deity group denied the incident, but no official has spoken or offered help. Where are the DC and the SP? Is the fair more important than the people?” she asked.
Claims has video evidence showing her father being dragged, nearly killed
She said she had video evidence showing her father being dragged and nearly killed, and demanded strict action against everyone involved. “The law must punish those who attacked him. My father’s shoe was made of cloth, not leather. Even the people who carry the deity wear shoes, so why this double standard?” she added.
“This incident is not just an attack on my father but a warning to society. I want strong and immediate action. If needed, we would have apologised to the deity, but no one in a civilized society would accept this kind of assault,” she said.
The statement has put the Kullu administration and the police under intense scrutiny, raising questions about accountability, public safety and the protection of officials performing their duties during major religious events.
