The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Conduct Kandadevi festival, Krishnasamy tells Government

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 30, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Conduct Kandadevi festival, Krishnasamy tells Government

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JUNE 29. The Puthiya Tamizhagam president, K. Krishnasamy, has urged the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, to take steps to conduct this year's car festival of the Kandadevi temple in Sivaganga district on July 1.

In a memorandum to the Chief Minister today, Dr. Krishnasamy alleged that Dalits in the village were being prevented from participating in the festival by caste Hindus despite directions given by the Madras High Court and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department. The High Court had clearly issued instructions to local officials that all Hindus irrespective of caste, community and creed were entitled to participate in the festival after the preliminary rituals were over. But every year, after accepting the traditional temple honours, the caste Hindus not only walked out but also prevented the temple authorities from conducting the festival.

Unfortunately, the officials did not take effective steps to conduct the festival. Though peace meetings were convened every year by district authorities, no tangible solution was found for the impasse, Dr. Krishnasamy told newsmen here today.

The Puthiya Tamizhagam leader said it was the right of the local Dalits to draw the temple car along with caste Hindus and it was the duty of the Government to ensure that the Dalits were given the right. He wanted leaders of Hindu organisations to support the Dalits.

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