Rival communities reach an agreement; authorities ensure security and fair management
Team Clarion
VELLORE — The revenue department of the Tamil Nadu government will rebuild the Kaliamman temple near Gemmankuppam village in the Vellore district. The temple was demolished by caste Hindus using earthmovers on August 6 in a bid to prevent Dalits from participating in the temple festivals. The incident sparked tensions in the village, highlighting ongoing caste issues in the region.
The reconstructed temple would now be placed under the management of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department. Construction commenced on Thursday, with the Pratishtha Restoration ceremony being held in the presence of villagers and HR&CE officials.
A peace meeting held on Monday, chaired by ADSP Bhaskaran and Gudiyatham RDO S Subhalakshmi, brought together representatives from both the caste Hindu groups —Vanniyar, Yadav, Chettiar, and Naidu — and Dalit groups. The meeting, which took place at the Gudiyatham RDO office, resulted in an agreement to rebuild the temple and ensure that it is managed equitably.
During the meeting, officials instructed Loganathan, a member of the caste Hindu community, to hand over the idol of Kaliamman to the district revenue officer of KV Kuppam. The temple’s iron door, which had been removed, was also ordered to be returned. “The temple will be rebuilt, and if both parties wish, they can make donations for the construction,” officials stated.
Under the terms of the agreement, the keys to the temple must be returned to the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) after each day’s puja, ensuring that the temple remains a neutral space. The temple’s management will be overseen by a committee of seven government-appointed members. “The committee will make recommendations to the district revenue officer, who will then make final decisions on temple ceremonies,” officials explained.
Access to the temple road will be open to all, and the police will maintain security for the next 10 days to ensure law and order. Additionally, authorities have pledged to take strict action against those involved in the temple’s demolition.
Meanwhile, Dalit villagers, fearing for their safety, have sought protection from the district administration. “We are receiving threats from unknown persons,” said Bharat Tamil, a 37-year-old Dalit resident of Gemmankuppam village. “We have requested protection and want the 21 individuals named in the FIR to be charged under the SC/ST Act.”
The incident has cast a spotlight on the deep-rooted casteism in Tamil Nadu, where Dalits continue to face discrimination. However, the rebuilding of the Kaliamman temple and the establishment of an impartial management structure offer hope for a more inclusive and just future in the community.
