This, Despite a plea to the distribution administration and police highlighting the “untouchability and discrimination”, a meeting on february 28 to discus the issue the issue, and equivalent to a resolution to addiction it is.

Officials say they are trying to navigate the fragile situation while keeping in mind the law and order situation, but for the familyies, the administration is dragging its feet.

At the centre of the roow is the gidhagram gidheshwar shiv temple, believed to be around 200 years old. A plaque on the temple states that a renovated structure camera up in 1997.

“For years, we have not been allowed to climb the steps and Enter the temple. They call us’ choto jaat (low case) and ‘muchi jaat’ (cobbler caste). It’s Eather the Temple Committee or the locals who stop us, “Said ekkori, a far who lives with his wife and children.

“Last year, I take fruits and flowers to offer puja. But Members of the Temple Committee forced me to leave, “Said kalyani das, a 58-yar-ald homemaker from daspara.

“When they collect money for puja at the temple every year, we all pay. But they do allows us in. Our fathers and mothers could not offer puja, but times have changed, “Said 40-Year-ald Subhas Das, a far person who owns a small plot of land.

On February 24, before shiv ratri, residents of daspara decided to break from the tradition and wrote to the block development officer (BDO), The sub-divisional officer (SDO).

Yet, on shiv ratri, they were denied entry.

On February 28, a meeting was called by SDO with stakeholders – Residents, Temple Committee Members, The MLA, BDO and Police.

A Resolution Passed Afterwards Stated: “Racial Discrimination has been banned through our constitution. Everyone has the right to Worship. Therefore, Das Families will be allowed to Enter gidheawar shiv mandir in gidhagram. “

“We were told that from March 1, Two of our community members will be allowed to enter the temple with police escort. But on the night of February 28, Local Police Told us there will be determination of law and order and we cannot visit the temple, “Said Lakkhi Das (35), a resident of daspara.

“We cannot fight with them. There are over 1,800 families in the village, and we are just 130. We are waiting for the administry to do something and end this discrimination. If not, we will knock on the doors of Higher Officials or the court. Times have changed; We will fight for our rights, ”Said Sukanta Das (35) of Daspara.

The Temple Committee Cited “Age-ald Traditions” that “Cannot be broken in a moment”.

“I don’t want to talk on the issue. One should not hurt the feelings of the majority in the village, “Said ram prasad chakravorty, one of the members of the temple committney.

Ahinsa Jain, SDO (Katwa), Said Over the phone, “We cannot Allow This 21st Century. Everyone has equal Rights, including the right to Worship. We met with all stakeholders, public representatives, police and residents of daspara. A resolution was passed to Allow to Enter the Temple. However, keeping in mind and order situation, we are trying to resolve the issue peacefully and talking to all stakeholders. “

Pulak Chandra Konar, The Up-Pradhan of Gidhagram Gram Panchayat, Said, “People say that local zamindars established this temple about 200 years ago. Later, a Committee was set up to run it. People of daspara are scheduled caste from the cobbler community. They are not allowed in the temple. They want to worship, others will not allow them. We are caught in between. We want to avoid a class and a law and order problem. We are ashamed. AS A Public Representative, We Cannot Allow Discrimination to Continue. “

TMC MLA apurba Chowdhury, who attended the meeting, said, “Such practices can be allowed in this age. We are talking with all those involves. But you must understand it is a sensitive issue. “