The police on Sunday refused to initiate action under the Code of Criminal Procedure on a complaint filed by a resident of Pazhag Kallimedu against a group of 11 caste Hindus under the Schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for denying Dalits the right to host mandagapadi of the annual festival of Sri Badrakaliamman temple for a day.
In a written reply to the complainant, M. Ramani, the Inspector of Police of Thalaignayiru, who is holding additional charge of Vettaikaraniruppu police station, said the annual festival of the temple, supposed to begin on Monday, had been temporarily banned by the District Collector as the parties concerned (Dalits of Pazhag Kallimedu and the caste Hindus of Kallimedu) had failed to reach a consensus at the talks held on July 30 on the right claimed by the Dalits to host mandagapadi . The proceedings of the District Collector had been served to both the parties. It was informed that the action under the Code of Criminal Procedure could not be taken against 11 caste Hindus, who took part in the peace talks. The party concerned [Dalits] could approach the judiciary for a solution, the Inspector said.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police, M. Durai, visited Kallimedu on Sunday to review the security arrangements.
He told The Hindu that though the Collector had clamped a ban on festival of Sri Badrakaliamman this year, scheduled to be held between August 8 and August 14, the temple would be opened for public.
