Around 12 Dalit families from Kenjampatti village near T. Kallupatti here have alleged discrimination by caste Hindus in the village.
Members from some of the Dalit families, who came to submit a petition at the Collectorate here on Monday, alleged that the issue started when they demanded equal right of worship during a temple festival in the village around four months back.
Though the festival was stopped by the police and revenue officials as the issue could not be resolved amicably between the two communities and a case filed by the Dalits regarding the festival is pending at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, the Dalits alleged that they were now being discriminated.
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“We cannot buy groceries from the shops in the village run by caste Hindus. Some public pathways used by us are also frequently blocked,” said K. Boomiraj, a Dalit from the village.
He added that though police officials visited the village a few times and reprimanded the caste Hindus for practising discrimination, the situation had not improved.
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Police sources, however, said that though there were 12 Dalit families belonging to a particular sub-caste in the village, only two families were residing permanently while the rest worked in Kerala as daily wagers.
A police official claimed that though these Dalit families had always worshipped at the temple, the issue started when the two families demanded that they be allowed to worship separately.
“It is true that the caste Hindus are angry as the festival was stopped and therefore some of the shops run by caste Hindus are refusing to do business with them,” the official said.
Collector L. Subramanian said that the allegation was brought to his notice recently and he had ordered that the Dalits should be ensured of all basic amenities.
“There is no discrimination in the village as such. However, I have asked the officials to inquire further,” he said.