Chettipulam is not a one-off case. CPI (M) activists face stiff resistance from villagers. But this has not discouraged them from pushing their campaigns in remote areas where the evil practice is more common. In recent months they have upped their movement. “Dalits are not allowed to walk on the common path in villages. They are told not to wear chappals. Worse, their entry to temples has been blocked. This is inhuman and illegal. So, we took temple entry as a foremost step. We are not going to stop and we are considering other social and economical issues also,” says Sampath.
The CPI (M) is not alone in its social campaign. Other groups have also joined in to end untouchability in the state. Says Kadir, director of Maduri-based organisation Witness: “Establishments of Hindu temples are keen on keeping the caste tradition alive. In many villages, a dalit cannot become a Panchayat president. The reason: If he becomes the president, the temple comes under his purview. And the priests don’t like this.” Witness has conducted field studies on the practice of untouchability in villages.
Sociologists feel that this practice won’t last for long in the state.
The CPI (M) is not alone in its social campaign. Other groups have also joined in to end untouchability in the state. Says Kadir, director of Maduri-based organisation Witness: “Establishments of Hindu temples are keen on keeping the caste tradition alive. In many villages, a dalit cannot become a Panchayat president. The reason: If he becomes the president, the temple comes under his purview. And the priests don’t like this.” Witness has conducted field studies on the practice of untouchability in villages.
Sociologists feel that this practice won’t last for long in the state.
Read these article :-
No comments:
Post a Comment