BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, November 26, 2006: Security was increased on Saturday at the 18th century Jagannath temple at Keradagarh after a court banned the entry of devotees following a public suit seeking protection for Dalits who planned to enter the shrine defying an ancient ban. Akhya Kumar Mallik had filed a public interest petition in the Orissa High Court in the first week of November seeking protection for Dalits when they enter the temple on Sunday. The court served show cause notices to the affected parties, including the district administration. In view of the tension in the village, deputy district chief Raghunath Padhy filed a petition in the high court seeking that status quo be maintained in the temple. In response, the division bench of the high court, comprising Justice I.M. Quddusi and Justice N. Prusty, banned the entry of people into the temple, barring the priests and the staff on Friday. “Nobody will be allowed inside the temple except for the priests and other staff until the disposal of the petition,” the judges said. However, the judges said the court was open to hear any party affected by its interim order.
Dalits in Orissa are not allowed to enter and worship in many Hindu temples. In Chauriberhampur village, on the outskirts of Kendrapada town, Dalits built their own Siva temple in April after being denied entry into the local temple. They appointed a Brahmin as priest at their temple and allow people from upper castes to enter and worship.