PRESS RELEASE
Slavery in the name of religion; modern manifestation
of Devadasi
: Dr. Ruth Manorama, Dalit Foundation
Bangalore 15, Jan 2013.
A two days (15th &
16th Jan2013) national round table consultation organised by Dalit
Foundation and Samta Trust on eradication of Devadasi system held at Aashirvad,
Marks Road, Bangalore. The consultation began with the key note address by Ruth
Manorama, National president of NAWO. In her address she stressed on how in
spite of strong laws and government welfare programmes Devadasi system is prevailing
in the country. And the only difference
we see in present day is that it has manifested in modern forms in terms of name
and its existence particularly in four states Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra
Pradesh and Maharashtra”. She said, we are not just flesh stock but we are
human who have the right to be free from all kinds of exploitation, to be
treated with respect and dignity. Social activists, academicians, leaders from
civil society, govt officials and victims of Devadasi system came together to
share & discuss to form a strategy for the eradication of Devadasi system
through proper implementation of law and welfare programmes.
Chandrashekhar, a
researcher and founder of SAMATA TRUST shared his experience of working with
the devadasi women in Koppal and partial findings of his PhD research. He says
more than 99% Devadasi women belong Scheduled caste community. Giving the
historical context of devadasi system he pointed out the problems that the
victims of devadasi women face in the society, while dealing with the systems
of government. Even they hold voter ID card but do not have access to the govt
welfare programmes. He stresses that this is specifically due to lack of
sensitivity, caste mind set and ignorance among govt officials. The victims of
Devadasi system suffer multiple levels of discrimination and ignorance not only
from the government but civil society too.
Children of Devadasi, who do not have father’s name to give in the
schools during admissions, suffer from discrimination as they are not getting
admissions in the schools and other benefits ensured by the govt through
various welfare programmes made exclusively for the eradication of devadasi system.
.Even opening a bank account is not possible for the devadasi. There are around
28,000 devadasi in the ten districts in the state of Karnataka who suffering acute
exploitation due to this social evil in the most developed state of the
country.
Divya, a
researcher from TISS shared part of her research experience with the Devadasi
of Northern Karnataka, which focussed on to understand the present form of
devadasi from the experience of devadasi women. The relationship between caste
hierarchy and patriarchal values of the social cultural set up of the region
has a greater role in the perpetuation of the system and complicating the life
of devadasi women in terms of their kin relations, and their relation with
other people in the society, occupation and livelihood. Even opening a bank account is not possible
for the devadasi.
Akhilavasan,
Co-convenor, People Health Movement, Karnataka said that Health is a
fundamental rights under human rights which must be non discrimination and with
the perspective of social justice and equality. Majority of Devadasi are suffering
from critical health diseases including HIV and AIDS but due to the acute
discrimination on the basis of caste, they are not getting proper treatment.
Academicians, social
activist and victims demanded five acres of land which can be cultivated to the
victims of Devadasi, time bound status report from the Govt on Devadasi’s and ensure
free admission with hostel facilities to the children of Devadasi. The victims
of Devadasi system vibrantly participated and shared their experience of being
a devadasi.
On the second day strategic planning for the
future action was the focus. This session was facilitated by Mr. Pradeep
Esteeves, where devadasi women themselves participated in forming the future
plan of action by identifying their problems that they were facing. The major concern that came up was social
exclusion, stigma, redtapism in availing the government services, identity. The
need was felt to have a national level movement with a strong grass root level
participation. The groups felt the need
of involving the community, government, media, social activists and
organisations in carrying out the action to eradicate the system.
Chandrashekhara HR
Date: 15.01.13
0-9242889918
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