Dalits denied sacred ash at Tamil Nadu temple, demand justice, legal action
Pudukottai: A group of Dalit residents from Vadavalam panchayat in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district have alleged caste-based discrimination after they were denied sacred ash (vibuthi) during a temple ritual at the Kaliyuga Meyya Ayyanar Temple on July 6. The temple is under the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR\&CE) department.
According to a police complaint filed at Sambattividuthi station, the temple priest distributed vibuthi to upper-caste devotees after the deeparadhanai ritual but refused to give it to Dalit participants. When questioned, the priest allegedly said, “We cannot give vibuthi to people like you.”
“This discrimination has existed for generations,” said M. Paniswamy, a Dalit resident. “We are not allowed inside the temple, cannot sit under the same shelter, or participate in key rituals.”
On Monday, the affected residents, supported by members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), submitted a petition to District Collector M. Aruna, demanding temple entry rights, participation in rituals, and legal action against the priests under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. They also urged the inclusion of a Scheduled Caste member in the temple trustee board.
Dalit residents said they are routinely barred from carrying milk pots, performing mandagapadi offerings, or even setting up water stalls during festivals. They also pointed to an invisible “social boundary” near the temple they are forbidden to cross.
Thirumaravan, VCK’s Thanjavur-Pudukottai zonal secretary, called on district officials to ensure Dalit entry into the temple during the upcoming therottam (temple car festival) on July 8. “This is not just about ritual; it’s about dignity,” he said.
In response to the complaint, a peace meeting was held by the Alangudi DSP and Pudukottai revenue officials. A senior officer assured that Dalits would be allowed to participate in the festival and that any interference would be dealt with strictly.
However, no final decision has been made regarding legal action against the priests named in the complaint, Ganesh and Sambandham Gurukkal.
M. Anbuselvam, a representative of the dominant caste community present at the peace meeting, denied the allegations and claimed the issue was being exaggerated for political motives.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
