Dalits entry in Chamunda temple remains formality

Bhilwara, Nov 26 (UNI) Local Dalits today refused to enter the Chamunda temple in Suliya village with State Minister Kalulal Gujjar as their entry remained a formality.

Mr Gujjar entered the temple saying ''people belong to all sections of society '', while local Dalits boycotted the function saying they will not participate in the programme till they get written assurance from the authorities regarding their right to worship in the temple.

Dalits boycotted Minister's function by putting up black flags on their huts and observed a fast today in protest against the atrocities by the Gujjars.

A dispute is going on over the ownership of the temple with the predominant Gujjar and the Dalits in the village since last Navratri.

The Dalits and the former temple priest Bhopa Hazari Balaji claimed the temple belongs to them, as they have been worhsipping the deity for the last fifteen generations.

But the Gujjars replaced the temple priest with a priest from their community. Since then, the local Dalits were denied entry into the temple.

Dalit Adivasi Adhikar Manch has taken up the cause of the Dalits and announced that on December 12 they would organise a mass forceful entry into the temple. With local dalits building up tension in the area, a large number of police personnel were deployed in the area.

Temple priest Mewa Gujjar while expressing displeasure over the entry of dalits with the minister said he would perform a purification function to restore the sanctity of the temple.

UNI PJJ AD RAI1835