Defying ban, 200 Dalits enter TN temple

In a historic move, over 200 people from a community of Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu, who were denied entry into a temple for around eight decades, were taken into the temple for worship by the police and district administration in the Tiruvannamalai district. As police led the Dalits towards the temple, the community was excited. Women carried garlands for the deity, besides firewood and ingredients to prepare Pongal. The issue came to light during a parent - teachers association meet, following which the district administration held a series of peace meetings to pave the way for a smooth entry.