Source: news.bbc.co.uk
VEDARANYAM, TAMIL NADU, October 15, 2009: Police in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu have shot in the air to disperse a stone-throwing crowd protesting against Dalits entering a Hindu temple.
The Dalits, described as low caste Hindu untouchables, tried to enter several temples as part of their campaign in protest at the practice. The latest incident took place near the town of Vedaranyam.
Discrimination against Dalits, who are at the bottom of the Hindu caste system, is a legal offense in India. Dalits, who make up nearly 20% of the Indian population, say little has changed despite the government enacting various laws banning caste-based discrimination. The latest incident in Tamil Nadu shows that many people remain resistant to any changes to the system.
Supporters of the Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M) have been leading protests in the state with the help of other groups.
“India’s ban on caste-based discrimination will not be effective unless the government makes it a priority to enforce it,” said Paul Divakar, general secretary of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights.