Tuesday, October 19, 2010

[ZESTCaste] Temple clashes force Dalits to plan mass conversion

 

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Temple-clashes-force-Dalits-to-plan-mass-conversion/699070/

Temple clashes force Dalits to plan mass conversion

Agencies
Posted: Oct 18, 2010 at 1309 hrs IST

Nagapattinam

Hundreds of Dalits belonging to Chettipulam, a village near Vedaranyam
in Nagapattinam district are planning to embrace Buddhism on December
6, the death anniversary of B R Ambedkar.
During September 2009, the CPI(M) had alleged that the Dalits were not
being allowed entry into the temple by the villagers. The party
organised temple entry agitations twice - on Sep 30,and Oct 14 of that
year.

On the first occasion, the temple remained closed while the second
agitation witnessed violence, lathicharge and police firing, when the
vehicles in which Dalits, accompanied by police and revenue officials,
were proceeding to the temple, were attacked by a crowd.

Following the violence, the Collector organised peace talks with
members of all communities of the village and warned that any
discrimination on the basis of caste would invite severe punishment.
Subsequently, on Oct 27, 2009, Munianathan led the Dalits into the
temple.

The Nagapattinam unit of the Republican Party of India (Gawai) has now
announced that the people of the village will embrace Buddhism on Dec
6, the death anniversary of Ambedkar.

The RPI has said that the Dalits were not able to overcome the
continuous attack on their dignity, which has forced them to decide on
embracing Buddhism.

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