Dalits, caste Hindus to keep off rituals

The week-long festival of the Sri Badrakaliamman Temple at Pazhag Kallimedu near Vedaranyam began on a peaceful note on Monday as Dalits and caste Hindus, who are locked in a dispute over sponsoring the mandagapadi rituals on specific days, agreed not to take part in the rituals.

The annual festival of the 800-year-old temple had to be conducted by the initiated by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department last year as no compromise could be arrived at between the Dalits and the caste Hindus. The claim of Dalits for the privilege of ‘mandagapadi’ rights on a particular day was rejected by caste Hindus this year also. No agreement could be reached despite three rounds of peace talks convened by Revenue Department officials since May. The third meeting was conducted at the start of this month, official sources said.

Although there is no hitch in Adi Dravidars joining the festivities, the stalemate persists since the demands of Dalits for mandagapadi and taking the deity in a procession through their locality were not accepted by caste Hindus.

Last year, the Dalits threatened to embrace Islam after the administration banned participation of both groups in the festival. There was a flurry of visits by political leaders to persuade them against resorting to such an act.

However, the Dalits did not carry out their threat. But the stand-off remained since the caste Hindus were not prepared to concede any ground. The caste Hindus had filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging the stand of the administration.

Police protection

On Monday, the start of the seven-day temple festival was witnessed by a large number of devotees. Adequate police personnel have been posted as a precautionary measure, official sources said.