600 devotees perform ’’made madesnana’’ ritual as district admin lift ban

600 devotees perform ’’made madesnana’’ ritual as district admin lift ban

Mangalore Today News Network

Subramanya, Nov 29, 2011: The district administration has lifted the ban it had imposed on the controversial “made madesnana” ritual, during which devotees roll over banana leaf plates discarded by Brahmins after their meals.

The ritual has its root in the belief that it will rid those who undertake it of various ailments. Since human rights activists had condemned the practice, a ban was imposed on it. But the ban had to be lifted because the Malekudiya community threatened not to construct the chariot for the jatrotsava if they were not allowed to undertake the ritual. Later 600 devotees undertook the ritual. This ritual is undertaken at Kukke Subramanya Temple as part of its 3-day Champashashti Jatrothsava.

 

 

 

 

Sundar Bhat, the assistant commissioner of Puttur, and the temple administrative officer had called a meeting with the community leaders and then the deputy commissioner, who declared that status quo be maintained in this case.

Rumors then began spreading that Brahmins will not be served food outside the temple. The devotees arrived at the office of the administrative office demanding that Brahmins should be served food there so that they can undertake the ritual.

The devotees had also appealed to V. S. Acharya, the religious endowments minister, not to stop the ritual and to maintain status quo. Later, the temple administrative officer announced that the practice will not be banned and will take place this year too. He also said that Ashtamangala Prashne will be used to end the controversy. 
 
Meanwhile, N. S. Channappa Gowda, the DK district deputy commissioner, said that the decision to revoke the ban on “made madesnana” was not taken because of threats from the Malekudiya community. He clarified that members of this community do not participate in this ritual.

He confirmed that the decision was taken only after confirming that even members of higher castes participate in this ritual. Moreover, nobody forces the devotees to undergo the ritual; they do it because they want to do it.

The DC said that, according to a High Court order of 2002, nobody can interfere in the religious rights of the other, owing to which the district administration cannot impose a ban on made madesnana.