In Uttarakhand, Dalit women were stopped from worshiping, created an uproar, when the matter reached the police, the priest had to apologize.
4 Nov, 2023
Haridwar news: Women of Valmiki caste allege that the priest of the temple had misbehaved with them by using caste-related words, hence they demanded from the police that action should be taken against the accused priest.
Haridwar news: A temple has become a topic of discussion in Western Amber Pond located in Ganganahar Kotwali area of Roorkee in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. It is alleged that the priest of this temple did not allow some women of Valmiki community to enter the temple on the morning of Friday 3 November. When the Dalit women protested against this, the priest resorted to misbehavior. When other people of Valmiki community got information about this incident, everyone gathered outside the temple and started opposing the priest and after a huge uproar, they reached the police with a complaint against the priest. Women of Valmiki caste allege that the temple priest had misbehaved with them by using caste-related words, hence they demanded the police to take action against the accused priest. While investigating the case, the police called the accused priest to the police station and interrogated him. During police interrogation, the priest admitted his mistake and said that he would not repeat such a mistake in future.
After the accused priest admitted his mistake, the Valmiki community calmed down and returned to their homes. However, in view of the possibility of any kind of violence, the police have warned that if anyone tries to spoil the atmosphere by making this an issue, then action will be taken against him. State Congress Vice President Mathuradutt Joshi strongly condemned the matter of stopping women of Valmiki community from worshiping, calling it unfortunate. In a statement given to the press, he said that everyone has equal rights under the Constitution, yet if someone is being stopped from entering the temple then it is sad. The Dhami government of the state should take immediate action in this matter and punish those caste people who have stopped the women of Valmiki community from entering the temple. Describing this matter as an embarrassment to humanity, Congress has issued a statement that when God does not discriminate against anyone then who is a priest to discriminate against anyone. From this episode it has become clear what condition the SC/ST class is in under BJP rule.
