BHUBANESWAR: With tension mounting in Keredagada village in Kendrapara district in view of the decision by a few Dalit organisations to enter the local Jagannath temple on November 26, the district administration is now working overtime to prevent any confrontation between Dalits and upper caste people.

The administration, however, has come under severe criticism for allegedly supporting the upper caste instead of helping Dalits to enter the village temple. Dalits are barred from entering the temple due to the prevalence of the caste discrimination.

While various Dalit organisations, including the Ambedkar-Lohia Vichar Manch, are spearheading the movement, the Orissa unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) has also decided to join the programme.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the CPI (M) announced that their leaders, including secretary of party's State Committee Janardan Pati, would participate in the temple entry programme on the given date.

Dig at police

Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Pati blamed the district administration for playing with the issue. "Although it was the duty of the administration to facilitate the entry of the Dalits into the temple, they were taking a partisan stand by supporting the supper caste," Mr. Pati said.

The Vichar Manch also blamed the district police and administration for encouraging `untouchability' instead of giving protection to people belonging to the Scheduled Castes.

The Manch further alleged that the area police have registered cases against 41 Dalits in the name of preventing any untoward incidents in the area. The administration's role was depicting a clear `feudal mindset', president of the Manch Sangram Mallick alleged.

The Vichar Manch had earlier announced to enter the Jagannath temple on November 19.

However, the programme was deferred after they discussed the issue with the district administration.

The controversy has thickened with the major political parties such as the Biju Janata Dal, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress not clarifying on their stand.

Keredagada controversy is the first such organaised attempt by some Dalit organisations to ensure their entry into a temple.

But the issue has gained importance ahead of the panchayat polls that scheduled to be held early next year.

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