Subrahmanya, November 30: The controversy over 'made snana', a ritual at the Kukke Subrahmanya temple where devotees roll on the left-over meals of the Brahmins, deepened on Wednesday with an angry group attacking a backward class leader for opposing the tradition.
Dr. K. H. Shivaram, who had arrived from Mysore along with a team of 30 activists, was assaulted by the devotees following a heated exchange in the presence of police officers. It was claimed that Shivaram was speaking to the media persons before the incident.
The Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagrutha Vedike president was boxed by the mob who hurled abuses at him. “Who are you to question our customs?” asked an angry devotee, who inflicted repeated blows on Shivaram. The attackers included the office-bearers of the temple committee, said an eyewitness.
The attackers chased him around the temple precincts where the third day of Made Snana ritual was about to begin at around 11 am.
The supporters of Shivaram also bore the brunt of the devotees ire. According to another eyewitness, Mr. Shivaram had arrived from Mysore to give memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner against the Made Snana ritual and did not stage any protest at the venue.
Mr. Shivaram, in a press meet yesterday, had criticized the custom as an effort by the priestly class to keep the stratified caste system alive. He had also threatened to move Supreme Court against the Government of Karnataka for allowing the 'inhuman' practice at a temple which receives endowments from the Muzrai Department.
He had also challenged Pejawar Seer to break his silence over the custom and accused him of playing an important role in perpetuating the ritual year after year.
Following negative publicity in the media, the devotees yesterday had assaulted the television crew of a Kannada news channel who had visited the temple to cover the event.
The attack apparently took place in the presence of the Assistant Commissioner of Puttur division and the Administrative officer of the temple Sundar Bhat.
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