A group of Dalit residents from Vadavalam panchayat have alleged that they were denied sacred ash (vibuthi) during a temple ritual in the Pudukottai district. The incident reportedly took place on July 6 at the Kaliyuga Meyya Ayyanar Temple, which is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR\&CE) department.
According to a complaint filed at the Sambattividuthi police station, after the deeparadhanai ritual, the temple priest gave vibuthi to other devotees but intentionally avoided the Dalit participants. When they questioned the priest, he allegedly said, “We cannot give vibuthi to people like you.”
“This kind of discrimination has been going on for generations,” said M. Paniswamy, a Dalit resident of Vadavalam.
“We are not allowed inside the temple. We can’t take part in the rituals or even sit under the same shelter as others.”
On Monday, the Dalit residents, along with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) members, submitted a petition to District Collector M. Aruna. They demanded full rights to enter the temple and participate in religious activities.
They also asked for action against the priests under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and requested that a member from the Scheduled Caste community be included in the temple’s trustee board.
The residents said they are often prevented from carrying milk pots, participating in mandagapadi (ritual offerings), or even setting up water stalls during temple festivals. They also said there is a “social boundary” near the temple that they are not allowed to cross.
Thirumaravan, the VCK’s Thanjavur-Pudukottai zonal secretary, supported the residents and urged the district officials to escort them into the temple during the upcoming temple car festival on July 8.
“This is not just about entry. It’s about dignity,” he said.
Following the complaint, a peace meeting was held by Alangudi DSP and Pudukottai revenue officials. A senior revenue officer told The New Indian Express that Dalit residents would be allowed to enter the temple during the festival and that any obstruction would be dealt with firmly.
However, no decision has been made yet on whether to pursue legal action against the two priests named in the complaint — Ganesh and Sambandham Gurukkal.M. Anbuselvam, a member of the dominant caste community who was also at the peace meeting, denied the allegations.
“No one was stopped. This is being exaggerated for political reasons,” he claimed.
