http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=559652
NCSC asks for status report on Keredagada Jagannath temple KENDRAPARA (ORISSA), APR 4 (PTI) The National Commission of Scheduled Caste (NCSC) has asked Kendrapra administration to send an updated status report on the Keredagada Jagannath temple, one year after caste flare-up on Dalits' right for darshan of Lord Jagannath. Expressing wish that peace and harmony among upper caste and Dalits remained intact in the villages, the commission asked the authorities to give updates about the present situation. The non-descript Keredagada village had witnessed caste-related flare-up in the last phase of 2006 as the exclusive right of darshan of upper caste Hindus of the deity in the 300-year-old Jagannath temple evoked strong protests among the dalits. The dalits were only entitled for a glimpse of the deities through nine in-built-holes on the outer wall of the temple sparking protests for right for darshan and puja. After days of simmering dispute that threatened to disrupt peace, the upper castes relented and the dalits broke the age-old barriers by entering the temple on January 14, 2007. The NCSC, whose directive was received by the district administration two days ago, sought details of legal action against those involved in inciting caste-bound conflict in the region more than a year ago. Earlier the commission had served a notice to the Kendrapara Collector and expressed reservation over the manner in which the state government machinery dealt with the issue one year back. A two-member pannel of the commission made an on the-spot assessment of the situation on December 18-19, last year, they said. The pannel members had interacted with both the caste groups and oversaw the administrative measures to solve the temple darshan row. The in-built holes of the outer wall, that symbolised the caste divide, have since been demolished. The NCSC also sought initiation of legal action against the offenders under the protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocity IPC, 1989).
