Bangalore, January 14: The Karnataka unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) will launch a campaign against alleged discrimination among castes and sub-castes at the Ashta Maths in Udupi and more than 250 temples across the State and will stage a demonstration in front of Krishna Math in Udupi on January 26th to mark the beginning of the campaign.
Addressing presspersons here, newly chosen State secretary of CPI (M) G.V. Srirama Reddy expressed concern over the regressive practice of discrimination among different castes in the temples run by the Muzrai Department and also at the Krishna temple/Math in Udupi.
Citing reported instances of how non-Brahmins, who happen to partake of food in dining halls meant for Brahmins in the temples, are unceremoniously “evicted” even as they are in the middle of the meal, Mr. Reddy said the discrimination is being practised also against “lower sub-castes” among Brahmins.
Mr. Reddy criticised the Pejawar Math seer for what he alleged were double-standards. “One the one hand he undertakes padayatras in Dalit colonies and swears by their inclusion in the Hindu fold, and on the other hand he presides over the gross discrimination against Dalits in Pejawar Math and Krishna temple/math”, Mr. Reddy said.
The awareness campaign against caste discrimination in temples will be launched by the CPI (M) on Republic Day (January 26). A large number of people from all parts of the State would gather in front of the Krishna Temple/Math in Udupi to join the protest demonstration, which marks the launch of the campaign against discrimination, he said.
The decision to launch a campaign against caste discrimination in temples was among the 33 resolutions adopted during the 20th state conference of CPI (M) held from January 8 to 11 at Chickballapur.
The other resolutions include implementation of irrigation projects in drought-prone central Karnataka, comprehensive housing policy aimed at providing shelter to the poor in rural as well as urban areas, nationalisation of mining and fighting against the communal forces.
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