http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-11/india/30386816_1_dalits-worship-hindus
Dalits offer worship at Tamil Nadu village temple after decades
PTI Nov 11, 2011, 07.57PM IST
(Dalits hailing from Uthapuram prayed at Sri Muthalamman temple after
the long-standing dispute with caste Hindus of the village was
resolved.)
MADURAI: Dalits hailing from Uthapuram in this district today prayed
at Sri Muthalamman temple after the long-standing dispute with caste
Hindus of the village was resolved.
Both the sides were at loggerheads for the past 20 years over offering
worship in the temple.
The enmity between them was so much so that the caste Hindus even
built a dividing wall to prevent access to Dalits from using common
road running through their area in 1989. A portion of the wall was
demolished in 2008, after the intervention of the CPM and human rights
organisations.
There were also frequent clashes between the two communities over
offering worship in the temple and several cases were pending against
people belonging to both communities.
The issue was resolved last month following efforts by Tamil Nadu
Untouchability Eradication Front, district collector U Sagayam and
Superintendent of Police Asra Garg.
Leaders of the caste Hindu community today welcomed the Dalits to the
temple. They also participated in the special puja at the temple.
Sankaralingam and Ponniah, the Dalit leaders, told reporters that they
were "very happy" after offering worship at the temple.
They said their community members had forgotten all the past
skirmishes and bitter incidents.
It was also decided to withdraw all the cases and remain united in
future, Sankaralingam said.
The caste Hindu leaders said they would remain united with local
Dalits and in future they would also perform the consecration and
festivals unitedly.
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