Surkhet, February 16:

The Dalits offered puja at the Narayan Temple in Dailekh district’s headquarters on the day of Mahashivaratri today. They were able to offer puja in the temple due to initiatives taken by Dalit organisations, the local administration and political parties at the district level. Earlier, the Dalits were not allowed to even enter the temple.

District-based Dalit organisations, including Nepal National Dalit Welfare Association (Dailekh) and People’s Advocacy Network (PAN), made it possible for the Dalits to enter the temple, the PAN coordinator, Tek Bahadur BK, said.

Chairman of the Dalit Service Association (Dailekh) Amar Sunar said earlier locals used to obstruct the Dalits’ entry into the temple. Non-Dalits too have agreed to let the Dalits offer puja in the temple, he added. Sunar said the last time any Dalit had entered the temple was on August 17, 2004 with the help of the local administration. “Now on, the Dalits can enter the temple freely,” he said.