Dalit youths held for demanding temple car procession through their locality

CHENNAI:  A midnight protest by the Dalit community near Sriperumbudur over the route of a temple car procession escalated to tense confrontations with the police, resulting in the arrest of over 10 youths in the early hours of Wednesday.

Celebrations were afoot in Kunnam village for the once-in-three-years temple car festival of Sri Moongiliyamman Temple, which began on September 2. As part of the festival, a nightly procession with the deity atop the temple car is a ritual.

As the ritual was under way, tensions flared around 3 am on Wednesday when the car was refused to pass through a residential colony with Dalit population. Members of the Dalit community insisted that the temple car be brought into the area for them to offer their Thaai Veedu Seervarisai (offering plates with gifts).

Their demand was reportedly opposed by members of another community, leading to a heated war of words between the two groups.

In protest against the chariot not being diverted to their area, members of the Dalit community sat on the road, blocking the path with their offering plates. The demonstration created a highly charged atmosphere, prompting a large contingent of police to be deployed to the spot.

Senior revenue department officials and high-ranking police officers arrived and attempted to negotiate with the protestors. However, the demonstrators remained firm on their demand for the temple car to enter their locality.

The standoff soon led to heated arguments and physical jostling between the police and the protestors. As the situation deteriorated, police moved in to arrest the youths involved in the road blockade, which further intensified the scuffles. The scene was described as chaotic.

Witnesses reported police bundling several youths into a waiting van. In response, women protestors surrounded the police vehicle, declaring they would not allow it to leave unless the arrested individuals were released.

Following this, a second round of talks was held between officials and the community. It was reportedly assured that the ten detained youths would be released after due inquiry. Furthermore, officials promised that a proper consultation with all stakeholders would be held to decide the future route of the temple car processions.

Following these assurances, the protestors called off their demonstration. A large police force remains deployed in the area to prevent any further untoward incidents, though a palpable sense of tension continues to linger.