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The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Activists demand Devadasi survey without condition of age limit
As preparations are under way for the third survey of Devadasis in Karnataka, the community members have urged the State government to conduct the door-to door survey without fixing any age limit to identify the Devadasis — now concentrated mostly in 15 northern districts. The Bengaluru-based National Law School of India University (NLSIU), which is spearheading efforts to bring a new legislation for Devadasis, has also petitioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah against any age limit. While the fresh survey — a long-pending demand of the community — had been announced in the 2024-2025 Budget, the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) recently directed the government to complete the survey and come out with recommendations before this October. It is learnt that the survey is being planned to be conducted through the offices of taluk-level child development officers, where Devadasis are expected to go and provide their details. While circulars so far have been silent on the age, community members have been pointing to past surveys which were conducted similarly from offices and had kept out women below 45 years. Banned in 1982 The centuries-old practice of dedication of women to temples as Devadasis has been banned in the State since 1982 when the Karnataka Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedication) Act was enacted. Subsequently, the government conducted surveys in 1993-1994 and 2007-2008, when 22,873 and 46,660 Devadasis, respectively, were identified. However, Yamunurappa, coordinator of Vimuktha Devadasi Mahila Mathu Makkala Vedike, claimed that a similar number of Devadasis have remained outside the list owing to several issues. 'I did not even know of a survey being conducted. I have a Devadasi certificate, but I am not on the list. I do not get any pension,' 74-year-old Honnamma from Harikere in Harappanahalli of Vijayanagara district said, pointing to a lack of awareness. Being on the list becomes important for receiving rehabilitation benefits including ₹2,000 monthly pension. The demand for house-to-house survey by the team, which should include former Devadasis, has come in the light of allegations that many non-Devadasis were getting included in the current list and receiving benefits. Stigma, lack of awareness 'Earlier, stigma prevented many from coming out in the open and many were threatened by officials of possible legal trouble if they declared themselves to be Devadasis because it had been banned in 1982. Despite the ban, the tradition continued across many big temples during annual fairs in North Karnataka,' said Manjula Malige, daughter of a Devadasi and now associated with Hosapete-based Sakhi Trust. 'The biggest hindrance in the previous two surveys has been the age limit of 45 and above to qualify to register. Women in North Karnataka also migrate for livelihood. There was a lack of awareness about the survey.' According to R.V. Chandrashekar, researcher in NLSIU, the government orders in the previous surveys remained silent on the age limit, but they crept in during subsequent circulars. 'We want the survey to be comprehensive following which a one-time rehabilitation is possible.'
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SHRC directs Karnataka govt. to hold a comprehensive survey of Devadasis in State
In a significant move, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the Karnataka government to hold a comprehensive survey of Devadasis in Karnataka to ascertain their exact number in the State, within the next four months. Earlier surveys While earlier surveys in 1993-1994 and 2007-2008 had put the number of Devadasis in Karnataka at 22,873 and 46,660 respectively, the commission has noted that there is a need to ascertain exact number of Devadasis in the State for issuing necessary recommendations, and take steps to eradicate the system completely. In its order dated June 23, the commission has said that the survey has to be conducted by the Women and Child Development Department to identify the number of Devadasis, and to submit district-wise report before October 24, 2025. 'The survey should also count their family members. The district level and state level survey committees should have representation of Devadasis and their families,' said R.V. Chandrashekar, a researcher at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), welcoming the decision. Families not covered He said that the previous two surveys had not covered the families, and they had also left out a large number of Devadasis. 'First survey considered only those born 10 years before 1982 and the second survey considered those born before 1982. There should be no condition on age limit in this survey. Devadasis under all age groups should be surveyed. We believe that many have been initiated as Devadasis even after its ban was implemented in 1982,' said Mr. Chandrashekar. He was the petitioner before the SHRC that had also taken up the Devadasi issue suo-motu. The Devadasi system in Karnataka has been prevalent historically, in which women were dedicated to temples mostly as musicians and dancers, but had turned exploitative over time. The erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore were among the earliest to ban the practice in 1907-1908, and the State government banned it in 1982 through the Karnataka Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedication) Act, 1982. Currently, Devadasis are found in 14 districts of Kittur Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka regions, often living in poverty and facing stigma. According to Mr. Chandrashekar, the effort to uplift Devadasis should not have a piecemeal approach. 'A one-time comprehensive rehabilitation has the potential to eradicate the evil completely,' he argued. He said their study showed that between 1990 and 2024, about 24,284 Devadasi women had received benefits. 'Of the total 46,600 Devadasis identified in the 2007 survey, 22,376 Devadasis have not received any relief. There is no information on those who have died.'
