Dalit wedding performed in temple after many decades

Dalits were not allowed to enter the temple until recently

After many decades, the first Dalit wedding was performed in Kasi Viswanatha Sivan Temple at Oduvankurichi near Namagiripettai on Thursday.

The marriage of S. Velmurugan of Oduvankurichi hamlet and Kiruthika, Kanthampatti, Salem district, was performed amidst tight police protection.

The villagers said that over the years the marriage of brides and grooms from Dalit families was performed in front of the temple, as persons attached to the community were denied entry into the 400-year-old temple.

A few months ago, Dalits of villages near the temple took the issue to the notice of the HR & CE department and to the Revenue Department officials.

Namakkal Sub Collector, Ajay Yadav, chaired a series of peace meetings between persons attached to the Caste Hindu community and Dalits before he directed that Dalits should be allowed to enter the temple and take part in the temple activities on August 13, 2013.

From then on, persons attached to both the communities were using the temple for worship without disparity, but no Dalit marriages were performed inside the ancient temple.

On Thursday, the marriage was performed inside the temple in the presence of Police personnel and officials from the Revenue Department.

The police were present as a precautionary measure, to prevent any untoward incidents.

There was a minor argument between persons from both the communities when a few Caste Hindus of that village objected to the Dalits preparing food in the hall in the temple premises.

The Dalits stopped preparing food and left the place calmly, as they said they did not want any untoward incident to take place on an auspicious day.

Ceremony took place in the presence of police and officials from the Revenue Department

Source: The Hindu