Bhilwara Dalits refuse minister's help in temple entry

Rejecting the state government's offer to facilitate their entry into Chamunda temple tomorrow, Dalits of Sulia village in Bhilwara district have declared they would enter the temple on their own on December 12.

A row has erupted over the issue of Dalits' entry into the temple between Dalits and the influential caste Gurjars in the village in the past few days.

The state's Panchayti Raj and Rural Development Minister Kalu Lal Gurjar had announced that he himself would be present on the occasion on November 26 but the Dalits are now demanding a written assurance from the administrative officials for their rights to enter the Chamunda temple.

Mr Gurjar has already reached Bhilwara to participate in the programme tomorrow.

A team of Dalit representatives today handed over a memorandum to the District Collector. The memorandum said the minister is trying to force the Dalits to enter the temple with him but not a single Dalit would particpate in the programme.

The memo also said the 40 Dalit families would lock their houses and leave the village when the minister arrives. Each house would also sport a black flag as a sign of protest.

UNI XC RRT MIR BST1827

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