Temple rights keep Nagai, Karur on the boil

The prolonged peace talk by officials and the Hindu outfit office bearers with Nagapattinam Dalits bore no fruit, as the Caste Hindus were reluctant to give space for Dalits in the Aadi festival at the Amman temple. On Friday, the Caste Hindus agreed to provide half-day permission after the peace talk by a group of Hindu outfit members and officials. However, the Dalits refused to accept the offer as the temple rituals will usually commence late in the evening. “It will definitely affect our sentiments,” a member from Dalit Community said. They have decided keep the option of embracing Islam open, until the caste Hindus permit them as per their demand. Meanwhile, the Dalit families of Adi Dravidar colony at Lingathuparai of Malaikovilur in Karur have decided to approach the Court to get their rights. Stating that they built the Sri Mahasakthi Mariamman temple near their locality in 2009 using the government aid and donations, they alleged that the caste Hindus were trying to take over the temple. “As they are targeting specifically us ignoring the other six temples in the village, we have planned to approach the court for claiming ownership,” a Dalit community member said. Meanwhile, a peace talk by the Karur RDO is slated  on Saturday.