Dalit Protest and Temple Entry Movements in Odisha

After sixty-four years of India's independence untouchability remain a major challenge.The Odia society is a feudal and complex one dominated by the Brahmins and the upper caste Hindus. Dalits were always treated as slaves.The Hindu religion and Dharmasastras nexus with the caste system put heavy inhibitions on Dalits. Among the problems of untouchability and caste system in Odisha, the most important issue is that, the Dalits are not allow to worship inside the temples even today.They have no right to practice their own religion, to enter the temple and to worship their god. Dalit movements and protests in the State have its own history, since pre-colonial period to today, including the present'Keradagada temple entry movement'(2007-2009) in Kendrapara district of Odisha. Accordingly,the book examines the small and sporadic movements, simultaneously providing an inquiry to the obstacles which negates larger unified Dalit movements in the state. The present work is its own way unique and initial for the researchers, academicians and students who are largely interested on Dalits in India, especially Odisha,and their movements for democracy and social justice.