HMK bid to stop Dalits’ conversion foiled by cops

Around 250 Dalit families are living at Palankallimedu in Kallimedu panchayat where a temple of Badrakaliamman, maintained by HR and CE department is located. It is said that Dalit residents have been denied the temple honour and prevented from participating in the Aadi festival in recent years. Despite their repeated requests, caste Hindus refused to give the mandagapadi rights, an honour allowing to organsie the festival and pull the temple car on their streets.  This year too, the Dalits were denied such rights and the dejected community members decided to embrace Islam. 

So, they approached the Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamad (TNTJ) leaders in the district and expressed their willingness to embrace Islam. A couple of days ago, around 50 Dalit families were distributed with the Holy Quran and this had spread like a wild fire. Following this, the Hindu outfit members approached the caste Hindus and the Dalits to resolve the issue. However, it is said, both refused to heed to the requests made by the outfit members. 

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a group of Hindu outfit leaders led by Hindu Makkal Katchi state general secretary Ravikumar attempted to meet the Dalit people in their locality. However, a police team, led by Vettaikaran Irruppu inspector (in-charge) Siva Vadivel stopped them and held talks with them in the police station itself. The police also asked the Caste Hindus too to attend the talks. The Caste Hindus were asked to give the honour for Dalits in the temple festival. However, no conclusion was reached when news came in last.