The Hindu : Karnataka News : Temple doors open to Dalits

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Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Temple doors open to Dalits

Muralidhara Khajane

Dalits can now enter village hotel and barber shop
Over 100 Dalits made a historic entry into temple

Changes:Dalits of Kannali village in Mandya district inside the temple on Tuesday.

MYSORE: For the first time in their lives over 100 Dalits of Kannali village in Mandya district entered Chennakeshavaswamy and Eshwara temples on Tuesday.

Though they had served the village deities by beating drums during festivals and cleaning the temple premises, they were barred from entering the temple. Overjoyed by the newly acquired right, the Dalits offered special prayers.

All this came about as a fall out of an incident where a Dalit was attacked by “caste” Hindus. During a festival on March 13, Chandu (28) a Dalit youth climbed ‘one' step of the Chennakeshavaswamy temple while beating the drums. Enraged by this, some of the “caste” Hindus attacked and abused him.

Some educated Dalit youth decided to register a complaint with the police and met station head of Mandya rural police. However, the police did not register the complaint immediately but said they would do so the next day.

Meanwhile, Mandya MLA Srinivas convened a meeting of the Dalits and “caste” Hindus to bring about a compromise.

Responding to the MLA's plea, Kempaih (50) Dalit leader of Kannali said they would not press charges if they were allowed to enter the village temple, hotel and barber shop. The “caste” Hindus agreed reluctantly and assured them that changes would be made in phases.

Negotiation

However, the Dalits insisted that they be allowed into the temples on Ugadi. Finally, the “caste” Hindus yielded to pressure said, Vasu of Karnataka Janapara Vedike, who was with the Dalits when they entered the temple on Tuesday. Mr. Kempaih said Tuesday was a historic day in the life of the Dalits, he added.

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