Tamil Nadu - Salem
Violence against Dalits on the rise
R. Ilangovan
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'Special act needed to stop discrimination against Dalits'
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SALEM: Violence against Dalits who want to worship in village temples
and participate in festivals, is on the rise.
The sudden spurt in violent incidents, particularly in Tamil months of
Masi, Chitrai and Vaikasi when a majority of the temples in the State
celebrate festivals, is being viewed by activists including the
CPI(M)'s Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front, as a disturbing
attempt.
The violence during the car festival of Sri Sakthi Kaliamman Temple at
Pottireddipatti village, in Namakkal district on May 24, had left
eight Dalits seriously injured.
A Dalit woman, Pappathi, who sustained a deep cut in the forehead in
the violence, says that Arunthathiyars built a temple of their own
since they were denied entry to the village temple by upper caste
Hindus.
Similarly, violence broke out on May 26 during the annual festival of
Sri Periya Mariamman Temple at Kannankurichi, near Salem. G. Suresh, a
Dalit was the chairman of the temple controlled by the HR and CE.
The police had to disperse upper caste Hindus and bring the temple
under lock and key.
Mr. Subash, a former headmaster, says the violence was unleashed by
people who could not tolerate him as the board chairman. "The entire
village, however, support me," he says.
Houses damaged
On March 28, houses of 10 Dalits were damaged following clashes during
the festival of Sri Santhapettai Selliamman Temple at Sankagiri.
Dhandapani, a Dalit, was attacked when he attended the Samabandhi
bojan at a temple at Karamadai, near Mettupalayam.
Huts of Dalits were burnt when violence broke out at the temple
festival in T. Edayapatti village in Karur taluk during 2008.
A recent study on Dalits being discriminated against in temples in 85
village panchayats in southern districts by the Madurai-based
'Evidence' says that since May 2009 Dalits are being denied entry into
temples in 69 village panchayats.
Temple cars would not be drawn inside Dalit colonies in 54 panchayats.
Clashes were reported from 49 panchayats during festivals.
'Evidence' wants the government to enact a special act to end the
discrimination against Dalits at places of worship and ensure them the
right to worship.
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