“Open to All” sign boards must at temples: DC

Mysuru: Probably listening to the 16th Century saint – poet Bhakta Kanakadasa’s soulful rendering of “Kula Kula Kulavendu Hodedadadiri…”  Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep has passed strict instructions that all the temples should carry the sign boards “Open to All,” without discriminating the entry to the temples based on caste, religion or gender.

This is a first-of-its-kind order to all the temples coming under the Muzrai Department. The DC has set May 20 as the deadline and asked the Muzrai officials to implement it without fail.

This issue was taken up after some dalit organisations brought it up at the SC/ST Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting held here on May 3 at DC’s Office.

It is said that the DC took up this issue as there were complaints of a temple in Bilikere in Hunsur taluk denying entry to dalits, in spite of orders being issued to allow entry of everyone into the temples. However, many temples were not complying with it citing lack of funds and other reasons.

The DC, who chaired the meeting, said that these display boards must be put up first at the temples in the rural areas. It should also carry the details about the punishment that the denial of entry attracts, asking people to inform the DC’s office control room if they come across such inhuman practice. It should also have phone numbers of control room.

The practice is a social evil and to eradicate this, awareness rallies in the form of free hair- cutting camps, street plays will be organised in select villages. In the districts, such rallies and camps would be held during Dr B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations. The Chief Minister and District-in-charge Minister would be invited to such programmes, he said.

Randeep instructed the District Social Welfare Officers to simplify the process to help the victims of atrocities to get the travelling allowance directly from the Taluk Magistrate’s office. The earlier cumbersome practise was that the atrocity victims, when they appeared in the court should have first got the attendance letter from the court, taken a recommendation letter from the Taluk level Social Welfare Officer and then submit it to the Taluk Magistrate office.

The committee members, who were present in the meeting, alleged that the atrocity incidents were not being properly decided in the court. The Police Department was also not recording the cases properly. They urged the Deputy Commissioner to set right such issues.

Reacting to this, Randeep said that if a workshop is organised involving the Police and the SC/ST Vigilance and Monitoring Committee members such problems could be solved.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Shivashankar, District Social Welfare Officer Prabha and others were present.