The DMK government, which is talking about social justice ahead of the 2026 elections, is facing sharp questions from its allies over inaction in Dalit temple entry cases.
New Delhi: Ahead of the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, the DMK is making social justice and equality an election issue, but its allies are angry over the administration’s insensitivity towards matters related to Dalits at the ground level.
Recently, the Madras High Court in an important decision has warned the authorities that if they do not ensure the participation of Dalits in the annual chariot festival (July 16 to 31) of the Puthukudi Ayyanar temple in Ariyalur district, legal action will be taken against them.
The order came on a petition filed by A. Venkatesan, in which he alleged that in 2019 dominant caste groups had prevented Dalits from entering the temple. Justice Anand Venkatesh said it was the duty of the authorities to follow the court’s order in letter and spirit.
Dalits still excluded from temples
Despite the laws, Dalits are being denied entry into temples in many villages. It was only in January 2023 that Dalits entered the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kallakurichi district and the Sri Muthalamman Temple in Tiruvannamalai district for the first time — that too with police protection and a court order.
“In the last three years, 35 temple entry petitions were filed in Tamil Nadu courts. The administration often delays in the name of ‘peace committee meetings’,” said Dalit rights activist A. Kadhir.
VCK takes a dig at DMK government
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) general secretary and DMK ally D. Ravikumar expressed displeasure over the government’s inaction.
He said, “Even after 75 years of Independence, Dalits have to go to court to enter temples. Do officials act swiftly only to remove flags? Untouchability is a crime, but the administration is reluctant to take action.”
He said that under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, the guilty can be punished with up to five years of imprisonment. “But till date I have not seen anyone going to jail for preventing temple entry,” he said.
Left parties also expressed concern
DMK’s other allies — CPI and CPI-M — also criticised the government’s attitude. CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan said that officials with casteist mindset should be identified and retrained. CPI-M state secretary P. Shanmugam said that in many cases, officials do not even register cases against those who prevent Dalits from entering places of worship.
DMK’s response
DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Ilangovan was quoted by the media as saying that officials in Ariyalur district have been instructed to ensure the participation of Dalits.
“The DMK government has always given priority to social justice. We have also made special laws to allow people from all castes to become temple priests. But some incidents still take place because of backward-thinking caste groups,” he said.
On being asked about the inaction of officials, Ilangovan said, “There are many cases where the administration has intervened to support Dalits. Some cases may need more attention, but overall the government takes caste discrimination issues seriously and does not ignore it.”
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy : Hindi News