Temple chariot enters Dalit settlement in Tamil Nadu after 42 years

A temple chariot from the Arulmigu Sri Muthu Kolakki Amman Temple passed through a Dalit settlement in Puthagaram village, Kancheepuram district, on Sunday. This event occurred during a trial run conducted under the direction of the district administration, marking the first time the procession has entered the locality in 42 years.

The movement follows a Madras High Court order issued after a petition by Pasarai Selvaraj. While the court had previously mandated the route, the procession had been stalled for an extended period due to disputes over the path.

To ensure peace, more than 200 police personnel were deployed, including several deputy and additional superintendents of police. Tamil Nadu ministers Thenarasu and Ranjith Kumar initiated the trial run by pulling the chariot ropes. Residents of the Dalit community celebrated the event with prayers and traditional music.