Orissa govt plans to end untouchability

In its bid to end the age-old practice of untouchability and ban on entry at temples in certain pockets of the state, Orissa government has prepared a strategy to deal with such situation.

In its bid to end the age-old practice of untouchability and ban on entry at temples in certain pockets of the state, Orissa government has prepared a strategy to deal with such situation.

HT Image

"It (government) was decided to initiate prompt action against persons delivering inflammatory speeches on the basis of caste besides launching massive awareness campaign against the menace," a senior official in the ST, SC, OBC and Minorities Development department said on Thursday.

The state government's plan to check the dual issue was part of the strategy prepared to be submitted with the National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC). The state government had earlier assured NCSC that it would prepare a strategy plan to combat the practices.

"District administration along with police should move the administration of major temples in the state to issue necessary advisory to managing committees to take all possible steps for ensuing that there is no discrimination between one community and the other so far as entry and offer of puja are concerned," the strategy plan report said.

Earlier NCSC chairman P L Punia had expressed grave concern over the ban on entry of dalits at a temple in Brahmagiri in Puri district. Punia visited the temple and asked the government to ensure that all should get equal opportunity to enter the temple.