Dalits in Chellankuppam village in Kilpennathur block of Tiruvannamalai district entered the Amman temple in the village on Wednesday for the first time in the 40 years since it was built.
Amid police protection, the SC community members, including women and children from the village, carrying garlands and fruits entered the temple, which is under the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
They were allowed entry at around 8.30 a.m. “We [Dalits] were not allowed inside the temple from the time it was built. We thank the district administration and the police for taking efforts in allowing us to enter the temple,” said S. Ramu, a resident.
