NAGAPATTINAM: An attempt by Dalits to enter a temple in Nagapattinam district under police protection turned violent when non-Dalits in Chettipulam hamlet in coastal Tamil Nadu began throwing stones at the group.
A deputy superintendent of police, two constables and the driver of the state government vehicle in which the Dalits were travelling were wounded. The police were forced to fire in the air to dispel the enraged crowds.
The event was part of a series of such temple entry programmes in protest against caste discrimination that prevents Dalits from entering temples in several parts of Tamil Nadu, the state that saw the Dravidian movement in the ‘60s that opposed caste suppression, but has done little to end discrimination.
The Vanniyars of Chettipulam near Vedaranyam — designated among the most backward communities — had initially agreed to permit the Dalits into the Arulmigu Kamatchiamman Sametha Ekambareswarat Temple during peace talks organized by the administration days ago. But, on Wednesday morning, they gathered in large numbers in front of the temple and went berserk at the sight of police and revenue officials escorting the Dalits.
The latest attempt by the Dalits comes in the wake of a similar bid on September 30 by about 300 Dalits including cadres of CPM and activists of Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front, led by Nagapattinam MLA V Marimuthu. The temple was found locked that day, which triggered a protest. The activists were taken into custody and later let off. The next day, the agitators attempted to break open the lock and enter the temple, but the bid was thwarted by cops.
A similar programme in Villupuram in north Tamil Nadu on September 30, too, turned violent and police had to use force to disperse the Dalits, who had apparently not sought prior permission to enter the temple.
**‘‘There’s widespread, deep-rooted discrimination against Dalits in TN. The parties have compromised their ideology and encouraged caste-based votebanks. We felt there was a void and launched a temple entry movement a year ago,’’ said W R Varadharajan, central committee member of the CPM.
The last two-decades have witnessed bloody conflicts in several parts of caste-sensitive southern region of Tamil Nadu where Dalits are disallowed from entering many temples or participating in chariot festivals.
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Mob blocks Dalits’ entry into temple - India - The Times of India
i think the religious leadership of the hindus shud take notice of such type of events seriously and shud take right step to create harmony among the different castes. so that such kind of harsh discrimination could be eliminated from the society.
