Chikkamagaluru
In a landmark development, members of the Dalit community entered the Anjaneyaswamy Temple at Nidaghatta village in Kadur taluk for the first time in nearly a century and offered prayers on Tuesday. The event was conducted peacefully in the presence of revenue and police officials, with the cooperation of villagers and community leaders.
According to local residents, Nidaghatta is home to over 2,000 families belonging to other communities and more than 80 Dalit families. Despite living in the village for generations, Dalits had not entered the temple for nearly 100 years. The issue recently resurfaced, prompting discussions to promote harmony and ensure equal access to the place of worship.
Following several rounds of meetings involving Dalit representatives, leaders from other communities, village elders and government officials, a consensus was reached to facilitate the temple entry. The programme was held under the supervision of the Kadur Tahsildar, police officials and village leaders, ensuring that the event passed off without any untoward incidents.
After entering the temple, Dalit men, women and children offered special prayers to Lord Anjaneyaswamy and sought blessings. Villagers from other communities also participated in the occasion and exchanged greetings, reflecting an atmosphere of mutual respect and social harmony.
Speaking on the development, the Station House Officer of Sakharayapatna Police Station said Dalits residing in the village had not entered the temple for nearly a century. However, he clarified that there had been no active opposition preventing their entry in recent years. After members of the community submitted a representation to the taluk administration seeking permission, officials coordinated with local stakeholders to facilitate the temple visit.
The officer said the Kadur Tahsildar personally attended the programme, while hundreds of Dalit residents participated in the temple entry with the support of people from all communities. The devotees performed special puja and received darshan of the deity in a peaceful and orderly manner.
Residents and officials described the event as a significant step towards strengthening communal harmony and social inclusion in the village. They said the peaceful temple entry marked the end of a long-standing social divide and set a positive example of cooperation and reconciliation among different sections of society.
