The entry of Dalits into the temple was a celebrated and moving moment for the community, as they partook in rituals and prayers
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Tension arose in the Mandya district of Karnataka as members of the Dalit community entered the “Kalabhairaveshwar” temple for the first time, asserting their right to worship freely and without discrimination. The event, however, was soon marred by a violent response from some upper caste villagers.
The upper castes, mostly Vokkaligas, reportedly took away the ‘Utsava Murthy’, the metallic festival idol of the deity for performing rituals outside the temple in Hanakere village, media reports reaching here said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Sunday after the district authorities made way for the Dalits with police support, to enter and worship in the temple and worship the deity ‘Kalabhairaveshwara’ for the first time, media reports said.
Heavy police force has been deployed in the region because of the prevailing tension.
“We have deployed police personnel in the village due to tensions between the two communities. However, no case has been registered as no complaints were filed,” Mandya Deputy SP Ramesh said.
For generations, Dalits in several rural areas across India have faced social exclusion from places of worship. Temple entry has often been restricted or discouraged through deep-rooted caste hierarchies, particularly in regions where caste-based practices persist.
In the Mandya district, the Dalit community had long been denied access to the village temple, an injustice that spurred them to act. With support from local activists and rights groups, they staged a peaceful yet historic entry, finally accessing the temple and exercising their fundamental right to worship.
The entry of Dalits into the temple was a celebrated and moving moment for the community, as they partook in rituals and prayers. Many considered it a positive step toward social inclusion and a progressive victory over caste-based discrimination.
But the event took an unfortunate turn when a group of upper castes removed the idol from the temple. According to local reports, these villagers claimed the idol was “defiled” by the Dalits’ presence, an argument reflecting longstanding prejudices.
The incident has raised concerns over communal harmony and caste relations within the village. The removal of the idol has escalated tensions, drawing criticism from various quarters, including activists, legal experts, and government officials. The incident underscores the challenges faced by marginalised communities in their pursuit of equality and religious freedom.
The local government has responded by condemning the removal of the idol and issuing statements reaffirming the right of every citizen to worship in public places.
Authorities have also launched an investigation into the incident and are taking measures to prevent further escalation. Activists have called for stronger protection for marginalised communities and initiatives to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
