Bill proposes inheritance rights for devadasi children, outlaws practice

Time of India

2 days ago

Bengaluru: In a significant move aimed at dismantling the remnants of the devadasi system, the govt Tuesday introduced the Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2025, making biological fathers legally accountable for children born to devadasis.
The proposed law requires conclusive proof of paternity and will empower such children to claim their father's property.
"The child of a devadasi shall be entitled to inherit and succeed to property of both parents," the bill states. "The person indicated as father under this section will retain his right to disprove such a claim of paternity through appropriate biochemical evidence."
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The govt revealed the devadasi practice continues in 15 of the state's 31 districts.
The bill prescribes penal action against anyone who "performs, permits, takes part in, or abets ceremonies dedicating a woman as a devadasi". Offenders will face imprisonment of no less than two years, which may extend to five years, and a fine of at least Rs 1 lakh.
Repeat offenders will face harsher penalties including imprisonment of up to seven years but not less than two years, and a fine of Rs 2 lakh. If the practice occurs on temple premises, an investigation will be initiated against the temple committee.
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The offence will be treated as non-bailable.
The legislation is part of a wider legislative push by the state govt, which introduced eight bills Tuesday alone. Over the past two days, 28 bills have been tabled in the Karnataka legislature.
The govt also introduced two separate bills — Karnataka Municipalities and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2025 — enabling local bodies to employ empanelled professionals for construction-related approvals and inspections.
Under the proposed amendments, architects, engineers, structural engineers, MEP consultants, environment consultants, and town planners empanelled by local authorities will be authorised to inspect building sites before, during, and after construction to certify compliance with approved plans and report to authorities.
The professionals will also be empowered to sanction building plans for certain categories of buildings as notified by the govt.
The bills further introduce a "self-certification" provision, allowing licensed professionals to certify buildings directly, as specified by govt notification.
The govt also tabled the Karnataka Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for the administration to nominate its own representatives to all cooperative societies in the state. Under the amendment, the strength of cooperative society boards across sectors will increase from 13 to 15 members, with three nominated directly by the govt. The bill also introduces mandatory reservation in all cooperative societies for women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
In another important change, members — instead of directors — will be appointed by the board of one cooperative society to serve in another cooperative society.
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