Dalits flay controversial Made Snana ritual

Dalits flay controversial Made Snana ritual

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 8, 2011: Delivering the protest address at a protest meeting held on Dec 8 Thursday, Sanjeeva R., the district organizing secretary of the Karnataka Dalita Sangarsha Samithi, accused the priestly class of India of using people’s faith to spread superstitions in society and of imposing the dreaded caste system through rituals such as Made Snana. 

Recently, a number of protests were held, both for and against, the controversial Made Snana, an age-old ritual that requires devotees to roll on banana leaf plates discarded by Brahmins after their meals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The protestors not only raised their voice against the ritual being practiced in Shri Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, among others, but also demanded that stern legal action should be taken against those who assaulted backward classes leader K. S. Shivaramu. 

Sanjeeva R. further said that Aryans comprise just 3 percent of the India population, in spite of which they have wrecked the social health of the nation through the dreaded caste system. He accused the priestly class of being responsible for the conversion of millions of Indians into Islam, Christianity, and other religions. 

The Samithi also wants Dr. V. S. Acharya, the higher education minister, to resign from his post for his irresponsible statements regarding Made Snana and for allegedly pressurizing officials to permit such rituals in DK. The protestors also condemned the attack on K. S. Shivaramu. 

The protestors also displayed a number of daring placards, one of which dared Dr. V. S. Acharya to perform Made Snana on banana leaf plates discarded by Dalits to cure himself of his ailments. Songs on the problems of the Dalit community in India were also sung on this occasion. 

Office bearers of the Samithi, including District Convener Chandu L, Sheshappa, Vishu Kumar and others were also present.