Temple entry ban continues for dalits in Tiruvannamalai village

TIRUVANNAMALAI: A week has passed after the century-old Thulukanathamman Temple in Hariharapakkam panchayat in Tiruvannamalai district was opened to all, but dalits of Nammandi Colony are yet to enter the temple. The elders in the colony have been dissuading the youth from entering the temple fearing a vanniyar backlash.
The issue was resolved amicably after the members of the vanniyar community of Hariharapakkam village passed resolutions on January 13 against the ban on entry to dalits.The same day, the temple, which was sealed by HR & CE on October 26 last year, was opened in the presence of tahsildar of Vembakkam G Perumal.
But, there is simmering tension with dalits fearing to enter the temple. The residents of the colony, who are outnumbered by vanniyars, calim they live in fear following threats during the Pongal festival celebrated in the temple.
Vanniyars in Nammandi village have joined their counterparts in Hariharapakkam panchayat to keep away dalits from the temple.
“Instead of ending the problem and communal tension, the developments have rekindled the caste enmity. They have openly threatened and dared us to step into the temple,” said B Sudhakar, who along with a few youths approached the district administration in July last year to seek helpt to enter the temple.
A group of vanniyar men and youth, who brought their cattle to the temple on Sunday to offer prayers as part of Pongal festival threatened to ransack their houses and chase them away from the colony, if they dared to step into the temple, he alleged.
“They threatened family members living close to the temple that police and revenue officials would not protect them for too long,” said Sudhakar.
When contacted superintendent of police of Tiruvannamalai R Ponni said, “Fifteen villagers are bound by the provision of 107 of CrPC . If they still continue to harass, threaten or prevent dalits from entering temple, they will end up behind bars.” She added that they would take immediate action, if they receive complaints regarding the issue.
The elders have asked us not to go near the temple for a while to avoid any untoward incident, said M Prakash, a young graduate. “They have advised us to remain patient until the situation eased. But, the situation is getting worse. They are waiting for an opportunity to vent their ire on us.”
Residents of Hariharapakkam, however, denied the charges. “No one has threatened the dalits. But there was some tussle between dalits and Nammandi villagers on Sunday,” said A Babu of Hariharapakkam.