The Hindu : Dalit youth rebuked for entering temple

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 20, 2002

National

National

Dalit youth rebuked for entering temple

By Kanwar Yogendra

SHIMLA MAY 19. A Dalit youth from Jubbal near Shimla has complained to the Governor and district officials against discrimination on the basis of caste and opposition to the entry of Dalits into temple complexes in the interior areas.

Surender Kumar, who belongs to the Koli community — a notified Scheduled Caste — said that he entered the temple of a local deity called `Devta Kyanlu' in Rohtan in Jubbal area of Upper Shimla district, to offer prayers.

He was rebuked by some upper caste youths who surrounded him when he came out of the temple. They asked him to pay some fine so as not to incur the wrath of the deity and the upper castes in the area. Mr. Kumar, who is a postgraduate in English and has studied in Delhi throughout and is the son of a deputy secretary in the Government, said that this was not only a violation of human rights but also of his fundamental rights. He has demanded punishment for the upper caste custodians of the deity.

He said there has been tension between the upper castes and the Kolis in the area after the news of his defying the village order spread. The priest has warned Mr. Kumar of dire consequences, if he tried to enter the temple again. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

Mr. Kumar has come here to avoid any confrontation and pursue the matter legally.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

Stories in this Section

Inform people about action proposed, Paswan tells Centre

Time for hard decisions, says BJP chief

Cong. firm on backing Narayanan

Terrorists sought by India not in Pak.: Qazi

Farmers on border starving

PM cancels Turkey visit

Glowing tributes paid to Shakdher

One killed in firing along LoC

Reliance to make open offer for 20 p.c. IPCL stake

Dalit youth rebuked for entering temple