The Madras High Court on Saturday issued an order directing the Perambalur district administration and the temple authorities to ensure that Dalits are not prevented from entering the Sri Maha Mariyamman temple at Pasumbalur village in Perambalur district and taking part in the temple festival, according to a PTI report.
Justice M Sathyanarayanan’s order addressed to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department, Perambalur district collector and the temple authorities was in response to a plea by K Subramani.
“In the light of the rival submissions made and the facts and circumstances, this court directs the authorities concerned to ensure that the people belonging to the Scheduled Caste community are allowed to enter the temple and worship the presiding deity during the festival to be held till September 16,” the judge said.
Subramani, a Vanniar community leader, had alleged that the temple authorities were not allowing members of the Parayar (SC) community to take part in the festival which commenced on September 1. He approached the high court after authorities did not respond to the demand of the Dalits.
Dalits seeking entry into the temple in the past were attacked by members from the upper castes. One Katta Arumugam was brutally murdered and another Rajkumar received serious injuries on two occasions during the clashes in the past, he had said.
The judge made it clear that “people belonging to the upper caste as well as the Scheduled Caste shall realise the solemness of the occasion and shall extend maximum co-operation to the revenue as well as the police administration for the smooth conduct of the temple festival”.