Andhra Pradesh: Dalits are denied entry, women during periods are kept outside the village!

In Vemnagari Indlu village of Mampakala mandal of Tirupati district, untouchability is at its peak, people follow rituals to please the deity.

Satya Prakash Bharti
Published on: May 25, 2023

Andhra Pradesh. Dalits are prohibited from entering a village in Tirupati district of the state. The people of the village do not even talk to the Dalits. Not only this, at the time of menstruation (periods) of women, they are allowed to stay only in a house built outside the village. During this, she stays in the same house day and night. Even wearing shoes and slippers is prohibited in this village. The villagers do this to pay respect to the deity (deity).

According to media reports, this area belongs to the people of backward community. When the people living in this village travel to other places, they do not even eat the food prepared outside. Not only this, these villagers carry their own food and water along with them. If someone falls ill in the village, he does not go to the doctor for treatment, but the village doctor treats him by giving herbs. If an outsider comes to the village, the villagers do not even allow him to touch himself. Not only this, a separate room has been made outside the village for women during menstruation. Along with this, the person entering the village from outside has to take off his shoes and slippers outside the village itself. Even during the Corona epidemic, no member of this village even got vaccinated.

Let’s know where is this place and what are the customs?
Vemnagari Indlu village is about 20 km away from Mampakala Mandal headquarter of Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh. About 25 families live in this village, while the population of the village is around 120. The total number of people eligible to vote is close to 70. The villagers here consider themselves to belong to the Palvekari caste. It is classified as a backward class in Andhra Pradesh. In this village, all the people of the same clan live and make relations with outsiders within their own caste. The residents of this village have been avoiding wearing shoes and slippers. The reason behind this is also quite surprising.

In fact, the people of this village are still following the rules made by their forefathers and the long standing customs and traditions in honor of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. The villagers here have been worshiping Lord Venkateswara Swamy in the form of a small stone. The ancestors of the villagers have also built a temple of Venkateswara. The villagers of the village worship Lord Lakshmi, Narasimha Swamy and Goddess Gangamma. They will allow outsiders to enter the village only if they leave their footwear outside the village. They don’t even allow outsiders to touch them.

According to media reports, a villager named Venkatsulu, a resident of the village, said, “Lord Venkateswara resides at this place. Do we enter the temple wearing shoes? We consider this place a temple and we have not worn shoes which People don’t know our faith, they’ll think we’re crazy. We don’t care.” Not only this, when the villagers travel to different places, they neither eat nor drink water. According to their belief, Venkateswara Swamy, who had made the village his permanent abode, would do good to the villagers.

The villagers claim that when someone becomes unwell in the village, they treat him by giving him juice from a certain type of leaves and worship Lord Venkateswara Swamy, praying for the patient’s speedy recovery. The villagers of Vemanagri Indlu had also refused to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

The villagers did not allow the doctors or medical personnel to enter their village. During this the deadliest coronavirus spread and thousands of people died across the world. He strictly instructed the administration not to disregard their age-old traditions and practices. Everyone in the community whether it is school going children or college youth all strictly follow the rules made in the village. Every Saturday the whole community enjoys special Anna Prasadam (food). Before that special worship of Lord Venkateswara Swamy is done. For this all the people gather in the temple.

According to the news published in the local media, the villagers say that the District Magistrate has to take off his shoes outside the village when he comes to the village. Erabba, the head of the village, says that this practice has been going on ever since our tribe settled in this village.

A villager said, “When we go out, we enter the house only after taking a bath and then eat. I have gone out of the village many times. Had to stay. I didn’t even touch the food where I was staying. I am going out for court work for 47 years. I never even drink outside water. I carry water from home and drink that water only. There is no question of drinking outside water. We don’t even eat outside food.”

The person who came to the village from outside told that whenever he comes to the village, he follows the customs. When we are in our village, we follow our customs. We take off our shoes only outside the village, if we have to enter any house, we have to take a bath first.

No entry allowed during menstruation
According to the information, during menstruation in the village or recently someone in the family has died, cannot enter this village. The literates of this village also follow the customs. Women have to stay outside the village during menstruation. A separate house has been arranged for them. They have to stay in the same room day and night.

Dalits are prohibited from entering the village
According to media reports, the entry of Dalit community people is prohibited in this village. The people of the village do not even talk to the people of the Dalit community. The people of the village also keep distance from the media. Babu Reddy, who runs the ration depot, says that even if the person coming is an officer or an MLA, they have to take off their shoes outside the village. “Scheduled caste people are not allowed to enter the village. They neither talk to nor touch them. Menstruating women are kept out of the village for at least five days every month,” he said. Is.”

Villagers get benefits of all government schemes
According to the information, the villagers get the benefit of all the schemes of the government. Babu Reddy, who runs the Ration Depot, says – We deliver their ration to their homes, we separate their ration from others and hand it over to them.

What do the responsible officers say?
In this regard, Tirupati District Magistrate Venkatarami Reddy said, “It has come to know from many media reports. Vemana will organize awareness camp in Indlu village and try to bring change in people.”