MADURAI- (NNN-BERNAMA) -- A local village temple in south Indian state Tamil Nadu, where weaker sections like dalits were barred from entering, has opened its gates for all regardless of their caste after years of clashes.
On Thursday, a large number of dalits entered and offered worship at Sri Muthalamman temple in Uthapuram near Madurai after an amicable settlement of their long-standing dispute with upper caste Hindus.
Both the sides were at loggerheads for the past 20 years over offering worship in the temple, according to Press Trust of India (PTI).
The issue was resolved last month following efforts by Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front, District Collector U Sagayam and Superintendent of Police Asra Garg.
The enmity between the two groups was so much that the upper caste Hindus had built a wall to prevent dalits from using common road running through their area in 1989.
A portion of the wall was demolished in 2008, after the intervention of a left wing party and human rights organisations.
There were also frequent clashes between the two communities over offering worship in the temple and several cases were pending against people belonging to both communities in court.
Leaders of the upper caste Hindu community today welcomed the dalits to the temple. They also participated in the special puja at the temple.
Dalit leaders said they were "very happy" after offering worship at the temple.
People belonging to upper caste said they would remain united with local dalits and in future.
Uthapuram village witnessed three major caste clashes in 1948, 1964 and 1989 over the issue. There were several casualties on all the three occasions. --NNN-BERNAMA
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