In Odisha, Dalits banned from offering milk to god, women create riots

Dalit women demonstrate. (symbolic)

Many Dalit women went on strike in front of a temple in Odisha’s Kendrapara district on Saturday. Because they were allegedly denied milk offerings to the Lord during the holy month of Kartik. The women accused the temple priest and a group of upper-caste persons of not allowing them to perform religious rituals at the Sidheshwari Ramchandi Shakti temple in Gharyanga village of Marsahai block in the district.

Protesters lodged a complaint with the Marsahai police station on Saturday, demanding action against those who prevented them from offering milk to the deity.

Inspector Purna Chandra Pattayat, in-charge of Marsaghai police station, said that we have received complaints in this regard. Efforts are being made to resolve the matter amicably. Talks are being held with senior members of the upper castes and Dalits. The police are closely monitoring the situation and have deployed police personnel to prevent any possibility of disturbing the peace in the village. However, the situation is still under control.