Dalits demand ban on 'Made-Snana', 'Pankthi-bedha'

Mangalore, December 15: Leaders from various Dalit organisations urged the Deputy Commissioner to ban 'Made Snana' and discrimination in serving food (pankthibedha) to the devotees practiced in various temples.

At a SC/ST leaders' meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda on Wednesday, after a gap of one year, Dalits expressed displeasure over 'Made Snana' and sanctioning of DC manna land to a private individual in Dharmasthala.

Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samithi leader Shekhar Belthangady said “it is a shame that 'Made Snana' is practiced in Dakshina Kannada district. Deputy Commissioner is responsible for the assault on a leader who had questioned the ritual of 'Made Snana.' He was attacked as the Deputy Commissioner had withdrawn ban order on 'Made Snana.'

Reacting to it, Deputy Commissioner said that the ban order on 'Made Snana' was withdrawn to respect the feelings of the devotees.

“There was opposition while the government took a decision to ban 'Bethale seve' and Sathi system. Despite all the oppositions, these practices which were social evils were banned. Accordingly, 'Made snana' should be banned,” said Dalit leaders.

Dalit leader Bhanuchandra said, “Dalits are given the job of removing the plantain leaves after meals in the temples, which are under the government control. Why Dalits are not given a chance to serve rice? Dalits should also be appointed as the trustees of the temples. However, here only people belonging to Marati Naik community are appointed as trustees and not the leaders Koragas or members from other backward communities.”

The Dalit leaders opposed the handing over of DC Manna land in survey number 507, 508/1, 509, 521/1 to educational institution run by Nagarika Seva Trust in Belthangady. The DC said that as per the government order about 43.90 acre land has been sanctioned to private individuals.

Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda informed the meeting that 92 acre land has been identified in the district to be distributed among the landless Dalits.

Deputy Commissioner promised that he will hold SC/ST leaders' meeting once in three months at the district level and once in two months at the Taluk level under the leadership of Tahsildar.

Civil Rights Enforcement Cell Superintendent of Police Sarvotham Pai, Puttur Assistant Commissioner Sundar Bhat, Mangalore Assistant Commissioner Venkatesh, Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar and others were present.