KVPS Forces Entry Of Dalits Into Temple They Were Discriminated Against
KVPS leader Paladugu Nagarjuna said villagers reported that Dalits were only permitted to break coconuts outside the temple mandapam and were denied satagopam rituals and vehicle puja services.
Nalgonda:Activists from the Kula Vivaksha Porata Samiti (KVPS) forced entry for Dalit devotees at the Shivalayam temple in Nidamanoor on Monday, after receiving complaints that the priest had been barring them from worship inside the sanctum.
KVPS leader Paladugu Nagarjuna said villagers reported that Dalits were only permitted to break coconuts outside the temple mandapam and were denied satagopam rituals and vehicle puja services. “This discrimination has persisted despite repeated appeals,” he added.
At the intervention, temple priest Lakshmana Sharma assured the KVPS delegation that all devotees, regardless of caste, would henceforth have equal access to the temple’s inner shrine and services. The KVPS said it will monitor compliance and continue to advocate against caste-based exclusion in places of worship.
