Upper caste to oppose entry of Dalits into Keradagada Temple

Kendrapada, Nov 4 (UNI) The decision of dalits to enter the Keradagada Jagannath temple on November 19, has snowballed into a major crisis with the upper caste people in the area opposing the move.

A meeting was convened by Rajnagar Tahasildar and the local police on November 2 to settle the issue but the Dalits did not turn up though nearly 2000 upper caste people of five panchayats had converged to voice their concern.

The Upper caste people and temple sebayats however, made it clear to the local administration that they were adamant on protesting the entry of the Dalits into the temple on November 19.

According to the temple priests, the temple was built by the Kanika royal family who had imposed a ban on Dalits inside the temple.

They claimed while the order was still obeyed by most of the Dalits in true letter and spirit, only a few have opposed to the age-old tradition and the restriction.

UNI XC DP SJC SB RAI0854