Dalits are still barred from entering some temples
Untouchability is a crime. Article 17 of the Indian Constitution abolished untouchability and its practice in any form is forbidden. Besides, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 punishes the preaching and practice of untouchability. But it still thrives in many parts of the country.
“In Tamil Nadu untouchability exists in about forty-one forms,” says P Sampath, convenor for state Untouchability Abolition Front, formed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 2007. Since then the front has unleashed a campaign to end this social evil. They are concentrating on Hindu temples where dalits are not allowed to worship.
“More than 926 temples are controlled by the Tamil Nadu government in the state. Out of these, about 100 temples do not allow dalits. In our state, more than 7,000 villages practice untouchability as a social norm,” says Sampath. But regular anti-untouchability campaigns and protests have yielded some positive results.
Now, administrations of some eight temples allow dalits to enter their premises and offer prayer. This is a big leap from old days when they were barred from entering the temples in Tamil Nadu. Buoyed by their success, the CPI (M) recently organised a temple entry campaign in Chettipulam village in Nagappattinam district. Initially, the upper caste resisted the move, triggering a clash. But the explosive situation was brought under control by the cops. Then the administration stepped in. The temple was opened for the impoverished dalits. However, dalits are not allowed to work in the farmlands of upper caste here.
Untouchability is a crime. Article 17 of the Indian Constitution abolished untouchability and its practice in any form is forbidden. Besides, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 punishes the preaching and practice of untouchability. But it still thrives in many parts of the country.
“In Tamil Nadu untouchability exists in about forty-one forms,” says P Sampath, convenor for state Untouchability Abolition Front, formed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 2007. Since then the front has unleashed a campaign to end this social evil. They are concentrating on Hindu temples where dalits are not allowed to worship.
“More than 926 temples are controlled by the Tamil Nadu government in the state. Out of these, about 100 temples do not allow dalits. In our state, more than 7,000 villages practice untouchability as a social norm,” says Sampath. But regular anti-untouchability campaigns and protests have yielded some positive results.
Now, administrations of some eight temples allow dalits to enter their premises and offer prayer. This is a big leap from old days when they were barred from entering the temples in Tamil Nadu. Buoyed by their success, the CPI (M) recently organised a temple entry campaign in Chettipulam village in Nagappattinam district. Initially, the upper caste resisted the move, triggering a clash. But the explosive situation was brought under control by the cops. Then the administration stepped in. The temple was opened for the impoverished dalits. However, dalits are not allowed to work in the farmlands of upper caste here.
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