http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Uthapuram-dalits-finally-allowed-to-enter-temple/articleshow/10685623.cms
Uthapuram dalits finally allowed to enter temple
M T Saju, TNN | Nov 11, 2011, 03.33AM IST
MADURAI: It was a dream-come-true moment for the dalits in Uthapuram
village as a group of them entered the Muthalamman temple, to which
they had been denied access for decades, on Thursday.
On October 15, police superintendent Asra Garg and Tamil Nadu
Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) had decided to take dalits
into the temple and an agreement was signed five days later. But, many
were sceptical as no action was taken even after 25 days. They had
another discussion with representatives of both dalits and non-dalits
on Thursday, putting an end to the stalemate.
Earlier, whenever dalits tried to enter the temple, there were serious
clashes between communities. The temple witnessed clashes in 1948,
1964 and 1989. Many villagers are happy with the recent development.
"I welcome the move. It should be implemented in other temples in the
state where dalits are denied entry. It's time we abolished
discrimination," said S Karthikeyan, a non-dalit resident .
Around 3.30pm, 15 dalits entered the Muthalamman temple, made their
offerings and returned with prasadam from the priest. For M Thankaraj,
Madurai district secretary of TNUEF, the victory followed a long
fight. "We have been fighting for this since we launched TNUEF in
2007. Even though the caste wall put up by the non-dalits was
demolished a couple of years ago, dalits were not allowed to enter the
temple. The police officials have done a good job," he said.
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