Welcome initiative : Dalit as priest Congress leader Janardhan Poojary from Mangalore had already set a great example last year by appointing widows as archakas (priests) of Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha temple. This year he has gone a step further by inducting Dalit women as its priests. On Monday, the two new archakas — Lakshmi (65) from Chilimbi and Chandravathi (45) from Ullal — entered the temple and offered their pooja to Lord Gokarnanatha and other deities. At a time when Dalits are still not allowed in many temples or localities, at a time when violence against Dalits have reached epic proportions, such initiatives help in easing of the atmosphere.

In a interview given to Deccan Chronicles, Mr Poojary said, “Dalits too are children of God and have the right to offer pooja. This is the message we want to send out by appointing the two women.”

The Logical Indian applauds this great initiative by Mr Poojary. We hope and request other politicians and activists and concerned citizens to take up the cause of Dalits and work towards their upliftment.