http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20090083086
Discrimination against Dalits in Rajasthan
Moin Qadri
Tuesday, February 10, 2009, (Bhilwara)
Preparations for a special seven-day ceremony at a Hanuman temple in
Tiloli village, Bhilwara, Rajasthan ran into a controversy when the
priest organising this ceremony refused to let Dalits be a part of it.
As a condition for participating, Dalits were asked to undergo a rite
of purification.
They said people of lower castes will not be allowed to participate
in this village ceremony, said Mangilal, villager.
The priest said anybody who wants to sit in the yagna will have to
eat cow dung, Choga Lal, villager.
After a complaint to the administration, a compromise was reached
where it was agreed that only priests would conduct the yagna and
everyone else would be allowed to worship.
We have said only priests will perform puja, nobody will sit in the
yagna and later we will
give everybody Prasad, said Chandan Singh , village head.
The seven-day yagna is now being held under the watchful eyes of the
administration, but it has exposed the deep divisions that still exist
in the name of caste in our society.
