Dalits offer worship at village temple after decades

Madurai, Nov 10 (PTI) 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.