During September 2009, the CPI(M) had alleged that the Dalits were not being allowed entry into the temple by the villagers. The party organised temple entry agitations twice – on Sep 30,and Oct 14 of that year.
On the first occasion, the temple remained closed while the second agitation witnessed violence, lathicharge and police firing, when the vehicles in which Dalits, accompanied by police and revenue officials, were proceeding to the temple, were attacked by a crowd.
Following the violence, the Collector organised peace talks with members of all communities of the village and warned that any discrimination on the basis of caste would invite severe punishment. Subsequently, on Oct 27, 2009, Munianathan led the Dalits into the temple.
The Nagapattinam unit of the Republican Party of India (Gawai) has now announced that the people of the village will embrace Buddhism on Dec 6, the death anniversary of Ambedkar.
The RPI has said that the Dalits were not able to overcome the continuous attack on their dignity, which has forced them to decide on embracing Buddhism.