Dalits seek ban on Made Snana

Leaders of various dalit organizations demanded a ban on Made Made Snana practiced at Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple during the ‘shasti’ festivities at the monthly meeting organised by DK district police with members of and representatives of SC/ST organizations here on Sunday.

Terming the practice "inhuman", they demanded that the feelings of dalits be conveyed to the state government for necessary action.L Shekar of Dalit Hakkugalla Horata Samiti pointed that such customs were increasingly being used to subjugate dalits and they were foisted on them in the name of tradition. He was also critical of the district administration which backed down from its earlier decision of banning the ritual.

Narayana Punchame, another dalit leader observed it was time for all concerned to create awareness and bring this practice to a halt. P Keshava, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti leader, sought action against policemen on duty for failing to prevent the assault on K S Shivaramu, president of Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum.

Noting that the section of the temple’s administrators had treated Nagesh and others accused of assaulting Shivaramu like heroes, Shekar demanded that police take action against Keshava Jogithaya, the chief priest of the temple for honouring the accused and offering them prasad. SP Labhu Ram who chaired the meeting said since the probe was on into the incident, points raised by the leaders would be looked into during the course of investigation. he said t hat only one complaint had been registered in connection with the assault and police had already.