Former Devadasis stage protest in Kalaburagi, seek fresh survey of their numbers

A group of former Devadasis staged a demonstration in front of the Zilla Panchayat office in Kalaburagi on Tuesday, demanding an immediate three-generation survey of their community and housing for all members.

Speaking during the protest, honorary president of the Karnataka Rajya Devadasi Mahileyara Vimochana Sangha U. Basavaraj said that the State government’s data grossly under reports their population.

The agitation was organised by the Karnataka Rajya Devadasi Mahileyara Vimochana Sangha.

“As per an official survey, the number of former Devadasis in the State is shown as 40,000. But the actual figure is more than one lakh. Though many Devadasi women were married off, they have been forced to return to their parental homes after being humiliated and deserted. The State government has promised to conduct a three-generation survey to ascertain the real numbers. We welcome the move but demand that it be taken up without delay,” he said.

He added that each former Devadasi woman should be issued a certificate after a fresh survey, ensuring that she and her children are eligible for government benefits.

“Housing remains a major problem for most of the former Devadasis. The State government must allocate sufficient funds in the next budget to provide housing for them,” Mr. Basavaraj said.

The protesters later submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister and the Minister for Social Welfare through the Zilla Panchayat office.