Thanks to the Rath Yatra, the agitated atmosphere between upper caste people and Dalits of Keredagada under Rajnagar block has finally subsided though for nine days.
The upper caste members joined hands with the local Dalits to observe the annual festivity of Ghosh Yatra of lord Jagannath with a bond of brotherhood on Wednesday. The Dalits were seen blowing conch, beating drum and ringing bell before the chariot to participate in the festivity, whereas the Dalit women gave Hulahuli and Haribola.
"By seeing the lord at a handshaking distance and touching the idol is a different experience for us, what one cannot express in words,” said Satrughana Mahari, a Dalit. According to the priests, as Rath Yatra is specially meant for the Dalits with the lord coming out from the shrine to give darshan to one and all, so there is nothing wrong about the Dalits participating in the Rath Yatra and touching the deities.
The Dalits pulled the chariot with the upper caste people. They also gave peeled coconut and bhoga to the lord in the chariot. Notably, tension had erupted between the Dalits and upper caste people pertaining to a row over entry to the shrine about six years back. Keeping in mind that any possible frenzy might occur in the area during the Rath Yatra, police deployment had been beefed up. The district administration had also mobilized police in and around the temple to avert untoward incidents, informed SDPO of Pattamundai Ramchandra Gauda.