Priest, cleaners refuse to attend Koraga marriage at Kundapur

Priest, cleaners refuse to attend Koraga marriage at Kundapur

Mangalore Today News Network

Kundapur, Jun 6, 2013: The wedding of gram panchayat president Sakamma witnessed high drama after the priest (purohit) and those who came to clean left the function midway, raising objection to the fact that it was a Koraga community wedding.

The marriage ceremony was scheduled to be held at Trasi hall on Wednesday June 5. A sum of Rs 42,000 was paid to the hall owner as rent, and for the expenses to arrange for the priest and for cleaning the hall.

On the day of the wedding, the priest as well as the cleaners arrived at the venue first. As soon as the wedding party arrived with music bands and ’chende’ as per their community tradition, the priest and the cleaners realized that it was a Koraga wedding and felt uneasy.

The priest, in a bid to escape from the venue, said that he had another programme to attend and made his way out. The bride’s brother Ishwar and other family members pleaded the priest not to leave without conducting the rituals. It is said that the priest then openly spoke insulting words on their caste and left the wedding.

They immediately informed the Gangolli police on phone. Soon, the police led by sub-inspector Sampath Kumar arrived at the venue and as per their direction, the wedding was solemnized under the guidance of another priest from Kodapady.

However, the problems did not end there. It is learnt that during lunch time, the cleaners too expressed their objection to the wedding for the same reason as the priest, and walked out. People from the Koraga community were then hired to do the cleaning work, said family sources.

The bride’s brother Ishwar filed complaint against the Owner of the hall Sridhar Ganiga, who had taken advance payment to make the arrangements, the priest and five women cleaners on charges of discriminating against individuals on the basis of caste and insulting the community. 

 Koraga community leader Ganesh, Dalita Sangharsha Samiti leaders Umesh, Shekar Maravanthe and others were present.