Observing that untouchability, including denial of entry into temples, is, unfortunately, persisting in rural areas despite its abolition, the High Court of Karnataka has declined to quash a criminal case registered against eight persons belonging to different ‘upper’ castes for preventing a Scheduled Caste (SC) family from entering a temple and assaulting them.
“Although temples are seen to be symbols of unity and inclusivity, denial of rights of temple entry and worship to persons belonging to SC and Scheduled Tribe communities, still looms large. This attitude of the petitioners is undoubtedly regressive for they have denied entry into a temple, only on the score that the complainant and her family belong to a Scheduled Caste,” the court observed.
