Goundars, dalits pray together as Karur temple reopens to new beginning

KARUR: Communal harmony blossomed in Veeranampatti village in Karur district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday after dalits made their first ‘official’ entry into the local Kaliamman temple which was out of bounds for them for decades due to opposition from the dominant communities. Officials removed the seal on the temple after members of the oorali goundar community agreed to allow dalits to worship there.
Karur collector Dr T Prabhushankar, superintendent of police E Sundaravathanam and other top officials joined the historic event with oorali goundars and dalits offering prayers together at the temple.
It was on June 9 that oorali goundars and other communities forced a dalit youth to leave the temple when he entered it to offer prayers. As word spread, the district administration closed the temple on the same day to avoid further tension.
The non-dalit communities stood by their decision and urged the district administration to open the temple. However, the then revenue divisional officer (RDO), G Pushpa Devi, sealed the temple, which led to violence. The agitating groups blocked the RDO and damaged her car. The protesters also carried out a road blockade demanding reopening of the temple.
Karur district police booked a group of people under sections of SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act for not allowing the dalit man into the temple while another case was filed against a group for damaging the RDO’s car. Subsequently, the district administration and police brokered peace between the dalits and oorali goundars.
Karur collector Prabhushankar expressed his appreciation for the people of all communities of Veeranampatti for upholding social justice in the village. “A strong foundation has been laid for continued peace in the village,” he told reporters.
“People took the decision as a result of the consistent efforts of the district administration and the police department,” Prabhushankar said, adding that the district administration sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for development work including road and drinking water facilities in the village.