States » EastPosted at: Oct 22 2026 4:33PM


Chinta Mohan calls for renewed fight against untouchability; recalls historic struggle for equal access to places of worship

Bhubaneswar, October 22 (UNI) A year-long series of programmes will be organised across India to commemorate the centenary of Dalit temple entry, highlighting the historic struggle against untouchability and the fight for equal rights in places of worship, former union Minister and senior Congress leader Chinta Mohan announced on Thursday.
The celebrations, which commenced on October 13, 2026, will continue until October 13, 2027, culminating in a large-scale public meeting in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The proposed programmes aim to bring renewed attention to a significant chapter in India's social reform movement and the continuing struggle for equality and dignity.
Addressing a press conference at the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) office in Bhubaneswar, Chinta Mohan said meetings, seminars, discussions and public gatherings would be organised in major cities and pilgrimage centres across the country. These include Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kerala and Srisailam.
The programmes will seek to highlight the historical campaign for Dalit access to temples and reinforce the message that equality, social justice and freedom from caste-based discrimination remain essential pillars of a democratic society.
Tracing the origins of the temple-entry movement, Chinta Mohan attributed a significant role to Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress in mobilising public opinion against untouchability. He recalled an incident involving a Dalit man named Murugan at the Tiruchanur temple near Tirupati approximately a century ago.
According to Chinta Mohan, Murugan, who belonged to the Panchama community, entered the temple and offered camphor aarti. Following the incident, the police registered a case against him under Section 295 and lodged him in Tirupati jail, he said.
Chinta Mohan further recalled that C. Rajagopalachari later visited Tirupati and argued Murugan's case in court, helping him avoid punishment. He also referred to a four-page letter sent to Mahatma Gandhi detailing the incident, the police action and the prevailing practice of untouchability.
The Congress leader said the episode reflected the social barriers faced by Dalits at the time and underscored the importance of the movement to secure their right to enter places of worship without discrimination.
Chinta Mohan claimed that Mahatma Gandhi subsequently led a satyagraha in Tirupati and facilitated the entry of 33 Dalits into a temple on October 13, 1925.
He said the incident deserved greater recognition in India's social and political history and stressed that Murugan's contribution to the struggle against caste discrimination should not be forgotten.
According to him, commemorating the centenary would provide an opportunity to revisit the sacrifices and efforts of those who challenged entrenched social practices and worked towards a more inclusive society.
Outlining the plans for the centenary year, Chinta Mohan said the celebrations would bring together leaders from different political parties, legal experts, intellectuals and other individuals committed to social justice and equality.
The programmes will focus on the historical significance of Dalit temple entry, the fight against untouchability and the need to uphold equal rights and dignity for all citizens.
The concluding meeting in Tirupati in October 2027 will be organised on a large scale, he added.
Chinta Mohan also argued that Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and minority communities had yet to achieve full political, economic and social freedom.
Accusing the BJP-led government of undermining Dalit rights, he called for renewed efforts to protect the interests of disadvantaged communities and advance social justice.
He announced that October 13 would be observed every year as Dalit Rights Day, giving the date a continuing place in campaigns for equality and the eradication of untouchability.
The proposed year-long observance, he said, would serve not only as a tribute to the historical struggle for temple entry but also as a reminder that the pursuit of equal rights, social dignity and freedom from caste discrimination remains an unfinished task.
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