In a historic turn of events, the Dalit community in Geedhgram village of East Bardhaman district, West Bengal, has finally secured the right to worship at a local Shiva temple, ending a nearly 200-year-old discriminatory practice. For the first time, members of the Dalit community, primarily belonging to the “Muchi” caste with the surname “Das,” were allowed to enter the temple and offer prayers on Wednesday, March 12, followed by more members on Thursday, March 13. This marks a significant milestone in their long struggle for equality and dignity.
The End of an Ancient Practice
The Geedhshwar Shiva Temple in Geedhgram had been off-limits to the Dalit community for centuries. Despite being Hindus, the Dalits were barred from entering the temple or even climbing its steps. The temple authorities and some upper-caste villagers had enforced this exclusion, citing caste-based purity norms.
Puja Das, a woman from the Dalit community who offered prayers at the temple for the first time on Wednesday, shared her emotions with BBC Bengali: “We have heard from our grandmothers and mothers that our community was not allowed to worship at this temple for 200 years. Even though we are Hindus, we were denied this basic right.”
Administrative Intervention
The breakthrough came after days of protests and demonstrations by the Dalit community, demanding their right to worship. The local administration and police eventually intervened, facilitating the entry of five Dalit community members into the temple on Wednesday. More members followed on Thursday.
Ahinsa Jain, the sub-divisional officer of Katwa, played a pivotal role in resolving the issue. Speaking to BBC Bengali, she said, “Every citizen of India has the right to practice their religious beliefs. Caste-based discrimination has no place in West Bengal. However, due to some misconceptions, this practice had been ongoing. We could not let this continue.”
Jain added, “After learning about the issue, we held discussions with all parties involved and explained why such discrimination is unacceptable in today’s world. On Wednesday, I personally accompanied members of the Das community to the temple and ensured they could worship without any hindrance.”
A Long Struggle for Equality
The Dalit community’s fight for the right to worship at the temple had been ongoing for years. They had submitted a written appeal to the administration, stating, “Whenever we tried to enter the temple, we were met with abuse and harassment. Villagers would say we are ‘low-caste,’ ‘untouchable,’ and have no right to enter the temple. They claimed that our presence would defile the deity.”
Santosh Das, a resident of Geedhgram, explained, “We were allowed to worship at other temples in the village and participate in social events. We faced no discrimination in farming or attending invitations at others’ homes. The restriction was only at the Geedhshwar Temple. We were not even allowed to climb its steps.”
Social Divisions and Resistance
Interestingly, the resistance to the Dalit community’s entry into the temple came not only from upper-caste groups but also from some members of other Dalit sub-communities. Tamal Majhi, the East Bardhaman district secretary of the West Bengal Social Justice Platform, an organization that supported the Dalit community’s cause, noted, “While most villagers belong to Scheduled Castes, there are also Brahmins, Muslims, and other communities. Surprisingly, some members of other Dalit sub-groups, like the Bagdi and Dome communities, also opposed the Das community’s right to worship, fearing a loss of their own privileges.”
Majhi emphasized, “This raises an important question: Why should discrimination exist? Why should untouchability persist in this day and age?”
Caste Discrimination and Politics
While West Bengal has historically seen fewer instances of caste-based discrimination compared to states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, or Rajasthan, the issue has gained prominence in recent years. Over the past decade and a half, caste dynamics have increasingly influenced the state’s politics. Political parties now consider caste equations when selecting candidates for elections, particularly in areas with significant Dalit populations, such as the Matua community.
Political analysts observe that this marks a new trend in West Bengal’s politics, with both ruling and opposition parties vying for the support of marginalized communities.
Looking Ahead
Despite the progress, some members of the Dalit community remain cautious. They fear that without the presence of police and administrative oversight, the old prejudices might resurface. To ensure peace, police personnel have been stationed in Geedhgram. Ahinsa Jain assured, “There has been no breach of peace so far, but we are taking precautions. The police presence will be gradually reduced as the situation normalizes.”
This event is not just a victory for Geedhgram but a powerful reminder of the importance of upholding constitutional rights and social justice. It underscores the need for continued efforts to eradicate caste-based discrimination and ensure equality for all.
Date: March 14, 2025
এই আর্টিকেলটি বাংলায় পড়তে চাইলে এখানে ক্লিক করুন
