Bhubaneswar: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has begun suo motu proceedings regarding a situation where a group of Dalit women was allegedly prevented from entering a Shiva temple in Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha.
This intervention follows media coverage of an altercation that occurred on August 10 in Atimati village, which is under the jurisdiction of Erasama police. The Dalit women had approached the temple to engage in traditional rituals and offer holy water in celebration of Shravan Somvar.
The NCSC has summoned the district collector and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Jagatsinghpur, requiring them to submit a comprehensive action report within three days. This report must include the number of arrests made, the date and nature of any charges filed, compensation offered to the victims, and additional steps taken in response to the incident.
Both the collector and the SP are instructed to appear either in person or through authorized representatives.
The Commission has warned that failure to comply within the designated timeframe could result in the use of civil court powers granted to it.
Reports indicate that a group of villagers, armed with sticks, obstructed the entrance to the temple, preventing the women from entering. The women reported experiencing abusive language, caste-based slurs, and threats of violence to leave the area. When the women refused to back down, the villagers allegedly discarded their bhog offerings onto the ground. During this confrontation, one of the assailants is said to have attacked one of the women with a knife, resulting in serious injuries.
After the incident, the women had to leave without fulfilling their prayer obligations and subsequently filed a complaint against eight individuals at the local police station. The police then registered cases under applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Parthsarthi Beura, the IIC of Erasama police station, confirmed receipt of the NCSC notice and stated that the police were taking necessary actions to address the situation. He mentioned that one suspect has been arrested and that further investigations are ongoing.
In an effort to reduce tensions and ensure the constitutional right to access public worship sites, police later assisted the Dalit women in completing their darshan at the temple, accompanied by officials. Additional police forces were stationed in the village to maintain order, and authorities reported that the situation remained stable.
