South TN Tense as Communities Clash Over Temple-entry Rights

Arguments ensued between Dalits and caste Hindus in Madurai over the right of the Dalits to enter a temple. (Courtesy: The News Minute)

Tempers run high between Dalits and caste Hindus in and around the Uthapuram village in Madurai in Tamil Nadu following arguments between communities over the rights of the Dalits to visit and pray at the Muthalammal temple.

<p>At 6 pm, in Athankaraipatti village, a group of caste Hindus from different communities hurled stones at a Scheduled Caste community group after pooja in the Muthalamman temple.</p>

<p><b> Sankaralingam, Village local to <i>The News Minute</i></b></p>

He added that one jeep and several bikes were vandalised and burned. Several government vehicles have also been burned, according to media reports. There are reports of minor injuries to the Dalits. Hundreds of police personnel have been deployed in the area and the condition is now under control.

The 11-day festival at the Muthalamman temple which had begun on October 13 this year was stopped after three days by the district administration as caste Hindus objected to the entry of Dalits. A petition was moved in the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court by the Uthapuram Vellala Community President N Muthiah asking permission for the 11-day temple festival to go ahead.

The Revenue Divisional Officer and sub-inspector of Uthapuram Village met both Dalits and caste Hindus separately on Tuesday evening in a bid to sort out the issue. The district administration lifted the prohibitory orders after the caste Hindus agreed to allow Dalits to worship in the temple.

But trouble brewed on Wednesday again. Forty Dalits visited the temple but they were not allowed to offer prayers or put garlands on the pipal tree. This led to further quarrels between the two groups. More police personnel were later deployed to keep the situation under control.