Acid hurled on Dalit priest for conducting Vedic Classes

Biju Narayanan sustained second-degree burns to 18% of his body He was the first Dalit to qualify in Tantric studies from Travancore Devaswom Board He was attacked on his way to the temple on Wednesday morning

A Dalit priest sustained second-degree burns to 18% of his body after being splashed with acid in Koppam in Palakkad. He was allegedly attacked for conducting Vedic classes.

Biju Narayanan was the first Dalit to qualify in Tantric studies from Travancore Devaswom Board and was serving as a priest at Vettakkorumakan temple in Vilayoor, Pattambi. He is also conducting Vedic classes for kids in his institute Adimargatantra Vidyapeedam.

Narayanan had organised a seven-day Vedic class in April which was opposed by few persons. 

He was attacked on his way to the temple on Wednesday morning at 5.50am. The attacker, who was hiding behind a bus poured some liquid from a bottle. 

The victim is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna, and his condition is said to be critical. Police are yet to identify the attacker.