Hindustan
Times, New Delhi
Agnivesh
warns of agitation
NEW DELHI:
Swami Agnivesh who recently led a padyatra
to the Nathdwara temple near Udaipur to protest against the alleged
ban on entry of Harijans into the temple said here today that
if Harijans are not permitted in the temple within a month an
agitation against untouchability will be launched.
Swami
Agnivesh said it was shocking that in the name of religion and
temple, untouchability was allowed to flourish. He said the Nathdwara
temple which is one of the richest temples in North India barred
entry to Harjans.
This
not only violates the Indian Constitution but also goes against
the policies of the Government which ensures equality for all
irrespective of caste, creed or religion, Swami Agnivesh said.
He
alleged that the Rajasthan Government was tacitly abetting this
practice in the temple. It is shocking that with an annual income
of over Rs. 2.5 crore the temple authorities had no account of
the same. Nor did they run any charitable institutions like those
run by other temple authorities like Tirupati, he said.
In
his recent march he and his followers were not allowed to go to
the temple. The local authorities arrested the marchers instead
of taking any action against those who violated the Constitution
and perpetuated the social evil of untouchability, the Swami said.
He alleged that a fundamentalist group called Shiv Dal has sprung
up in the vicinity of the temple and is headed by senior Government
officials. Swami Agnivesh alleged that the group perpetuated untouchability.
If Harijans are not allowed entry within the temple till August
15 protest day against the same will be observed on Oct. 2 on
the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary and the death
anniversary of Jagjivan Ram.
On
the day thousands of Harijans and others will collect at Udaipur
and march to the Nathdwara temple. A protest week will be held
from Oct. 2 all over the country where members of the backward
community are denied entry to places of worship because of their
caste or creed, he said.
He
called on the people to condemn the practice of untouchability
and urged the Government to take appropriate action so that all
are treated with equality.
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