CHENNAI: Reaching a breakthrough between Dalits and Caste Hindus, the peace meeting convened on Saturday resolved to form a 10-member committee with officials and representatives from both communities to ensure that the issue does not escalate further and affect the festival at the local temple which is just around the corner.
Dalits and caste Hindus at Pulithivakkam village in Kancheepuram had clashed after Dalit students were allegedly denied participation in the Independence Day celebrations at the local government school premises. This escalated further and led to public protests including road blockade.
At the peace meeting convened at the Kancheepuram Collectorate, representatives of both communities presented their versions. "While Dalits complained about being oppressed over a period of time, the caste Hindus alleged misusing laws against them," said a source with the Revenue Department.
Both eventually agreed not to have any further confrontation on the matter. However, cases registered against the two communities will not be quashed, said a senior police official who participated in the meeting.