Collector, SP lead Dalits in Tamil Nadu village to enter temple; sets example
Pudukottai, 28th December 2022: Dalits in Vengaivayal village of Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu walked into an ‘upper caste’ temple led by Pudukottai collector, Kavitha Ramu and Superintendent of Police, Vandita Pandey.
The collector and SP had come to visit the village when three children were hospitalised after human excreta was found in the water tank used by Dalits. District Collector Kavitha Ramu set up a medical camp in the area and listened to the grievances of the people.
During this interaction, the villagers informed Kavitha about several forms in which they faced discrimination daily. It ranged from a two-tumbler system in tea shops, entry ban to the local temple, etc.
“SC community residents informed of the two-tumbler system and I visited the tea stall to find it to be true. Action is being initiated under the SC/ST Act. The villagers also said they were not allowed to enter the local temple. They were asked to come to the temple and worship in our presence. Regarding the contamination of the water tank, I have constituted a team to probe and identify the culprits. Necessary action will be taken,” Kavitha told to the New Indian Express.
The Tamil Nadu police said that cases have been booked under five sections, including SC/ST Act, on unidentified persons, over the contamination. The district administration has urged the public to report of any caste discrimination in their locality to 09443314417.
