Dalits to be allowed entry into Chamunda temple on Nov 26

Bhilwara, Nov 22 (UNI) There's a new ray of hope for Dalits of caste-ridden Sulia village in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan as they will be allowed entry into Chamunda temple on November 26 in the presence of state minister and government officials.

The village has been witness to a long-standing feud between Dalits and influential caste Gujjars, where Dalits are discriminated against in many a way, one of the most important being denied entry into temples.

State Panchayati Raj and Rural Development minister Kalu Lal Gurjar will be present on the occasion and would help Dalits perform religious rites in the temple. He said Sulia village falls under his constituency and often a row has erupted over Dalits' entry into the temple.

He said the recent row is because of vested interests of some people, including a tantrik called Hazari Balao who fanned the debate after he was asked to leave the temple premises for damaging some of the temple idols.

Mr Gurjar said the tantrik also has illegal hold of 18 bigha cattle land, around which he erected a wall. The villagers had brought down the wall twice as the place is public property. To remove attention from his misdeeds, Balao is slated to have started the debate between Dalits and Gujjars.

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