Temple clashes force Mulnivasis to plan mass conversion

Hundreds of Mulnivasis belonging to Chettipulam, a village near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district are planning to embrace Buddhism on December 6, the death anniversary of B R Ambedkar. 

During September 2009, the CPI(M) had alleged that the Mulnivasis were not being allowed entry into the temple by the villagers. The party organised temple entry agitations twice - on Sep 30,and Oct 14 of that year. 

 On the first occasion, the temple remained closed while the second agitation witnessed violence, lathicharge and police firing, when the vehicles in which Mulnivasis, accompanied by police and revenue officials, were proceeding to the temple, were attacked by a crowd. 

Following the violence, the Collector organised peace talks with members of all communities of the village and warned that any discrimination on the basis of caste would invite severe punishment. Subsequently, on Oct 27, 2009, Munianathan led the Mulnivasis into the temple.