Dalit deity denied entry to caste Hindus street

TIRUCHY: Dalits belonging to Kottur near Musiri here, alleged that caste Hindus were not  allowing them to carry their deity through their streets and  demanded steps to resolve the  issue.In a petition to the Collector, the Dalit residents demanded permission for their temple deity procession through the streets of caste Hindus.   When the festival of Arulmigu Mahasakthi Mariammal temple was conducted on June 13, a  deity was carried in a procession through the streets of Kottur.  The procession was then stopped by the caste Hindus, resulting in a quarrel between the Dalits and caste Hindus.  The Dalit villagers said they had also submitted a petition to the Tahsildar for permission to conduct processions and added that no steps were taken.The District Collector, who received the petition, ordered an inquiry into the matter by the revenue divisional officer.