Casteism still the bane for many villagers in Madhya Pradesh
17 Jul 2008, 1721 Hrs

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Chattarpur (Madhya Pradesh), July 17 (ANI): Raju Ahirwar, a boy in Rampura Village of Madhya Pradesh's Chattarpur district was recently penalized for entering the village temple, often visited by upper-caste families.

Belonging to the Dalit community, Raju Ahirwar had entered a local temple to pray.Villagers alleged that Raju's entry spoiled the sacredness of the temple, as the Hanuman idol changed its colour!

Following the incident, the upset villagers summoned a religious Panchayat (council) meet, which pronounced that Raju Ahirwar should leave the village.

"They have been asking me to leave the village or else they would destroy my home. We went to the police station but the Police Inspector said that they could not record my complaint or register a case," said Raju.

Meanwhile, the Panchayat also resolved to 'purify' the temple premises since it was 'polluted' by the Dalit boy.

A purification ceremony is being organized to seek divine blessings for the welfare of the place and the people.

Roop Singh Chauhan, Police Station in-charge in Matgunna has blamed the victim's family for not reporting the matter.

The matter rests there. Meanwhile, Raju Ahirwar, prays in the solitude that he may not be evicted from the village and that his prayer for getting a bride would be heard by Lord Hanuman, the presiding deity at the temple. By Shiv Shankar Sarthi(ANI)