In West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district, around 130 Dalit families from the Daspara area of Gidhgram village are struggling to exercise their Constitutional right to worship at the local Gidheswar Shiv temple. Despite legal protections under Article 25, which ensures freedom of religion, these families allege they are barred from the temple due to their “low caste” status.
The Das families, traditionally cobblers and weavers, claim the temple committee and other villagers have refused to let them pray at the shrine. “We are abused, mistreated, and thrown out of the temple whenever we go to pray,” said Ekkori Das, one of the affected residents. The discrimination reportedly dates back 300 years to the temple’s founding.
In response to a written appeal by six Dalit families on February 24, the district administration intervened. Despite the presence of two ruling Trinamool Congress MLAs and officials, an agreement signed on February 28 allowing Dalit families to pray at the temple has not been enforced.
“We were ready with fruits and milk to offer to Lord Shiva, but the temple gates were locked when we arrived,” Ekkori Das added. The police had previously urged the Dalit families to delay their visit to avoid escalating tensions during the Shivratri fair.
Economic retaliation has also followed. Villagers allegedly instructed local dairy centers to stop collecting milk from Dalit families, affecting the livelihoods of 30-40 households.
Temple committee member Dinabandhu Mondal defended the exclusion, citing an “ancient tradition” and warning that allowing Dalit entry could trigger unrest. Meanwhile, Mangalkot MLA Apurba Chowdhury acknowledged the issue but insisted it “will take time to resolve.”
Anisha Jain, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Katwa, said, “We will soon implement the decision taken at the February 28 meeting. We are closely monitoring the situation.”
The Dalit families, however, remain determined. “We will either take this fight to the end and knock on the doors of Kolkata and Delhi or pack our belongings and leave this home of our ancestors,” Ekkori Das said.
