Karnataka temple’s weird ritual draws protests

2010-12-12 13:50:00 Last Updated: 2010-12-12 23:27:37 Karwar Ads by Google Know Before You Go. Read Reviews from Real Travellers. www.TripAdvisor.in   Bangalore: A bizarre tradition of people rolling over plantain leaves with leftovers of meals eaten by Brahmins at a Karnataka temple to cure themselves of skin ailments is igniting protests. Called the ‘urulu seve’ (roll over ritual), the tradition at the Kukke Subramanya temple in the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada is said to have been followed for 400 years, according to temple authorities.   The ritual is undertaken in the belief that it will cure people of skin ailments. It is performed on the annual ‘shasthi’ – sixth day of the month – festival. The three-day festival concluded Saturday and the ritual was performed Friday by many men and women amid protests by a small group of people. Now, several organisations in Karnataka have begun a campaign to ban the practice saying it is inhuman.   Though people from all castes, including Brahmins, perform the ritual, a majority of them are said to be Dalits and those from backward classes. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, a Dalit herself, wants it banned. She issued a statement to this effect in Lucknow Saturday. Temple authorities say they do not force anyone to perform the ritual. The protesters were upset that the practice was allowed, though the temple was under the state government’s Muzrai (religious affairs) department.   Muzrai Minister V.S. Acharya termed the practice ‘innocuous’. He said no one was forced by the temple authorities to perform the ritual. ‘It is a matter of belief,’ he said. The temple, about 300 km from here, is devoted to Subramanya. The idol of Subramanya is in the shape of a nine-headed serpent. Legend has it that Subramanya protected serpent god Vasuki who had taken shelter in a cave at Kukke from Garuda. A well-known ritual performed at the temple is ‘sarpa samskara’ to ward off the effect of ‘sarpa dosha’ – curse of the serpent god. Among the celebrities who have prayed at the temple is cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

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Mangalore: Karnataka Dalit Sangarsh Samiti Protests Against Bajrang Dal

Pics: Sphoorti Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (SR/CN)

Mangalore, Aug 13: The Dakshina Kannada district branch of the Karnataka Dalit Sangarsh Samiti staged a protest against the brutal activities of the Bajrang Dal in the state, in front of the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office on Friday August 13.

The protest was staged under the leadership of S P Anand, district convener of the Samiti who said that Shreedhar, a resident of Paraje Kodagu district, was taken from his house and tortured and then paraded naked. He claimed that the complaint has been lodged at Bantwal police station, but due to the
political influence of the Bajrang Dal no action has been taken against the culprits.

Anand added that such activities of the Bajarang Dal shall be stopped in the state so as to enable all innocent citizens to live without any fear.

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curty: http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=83331&n_tit=Mangalore:+Karnataka+Dalit+Sangarsh+Samiti+Protests+Against+Bajrang+Dal

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Dalit proves point on horseback- Rajasthan University

JAIPUR: It was an unusual day at Rajasthan University on Thursday when a dalit student, Raj Tepan, came on horseback with his supporters and musical band following him up to the vice chancellor’s office. Reason: Dalit students wanted to prove that the derogatory remarks made by their ‘guru’ P D Sharma, who said dalits are not entitled to ride horses, were absurd.

The professor has since apologized for the remark, but not before the Dalit students raised a huge shindig. Demanding Sharma’s arrest, they served gave a memorandum to vice-chancellor A D Sawant to withdraw facilities given to him, including pension and staff residential quarters.

Tepan claimed their aim was to teach a lesson to their professor who still believed that dalit students do not deserve respect in society.

“Considering the remark Sharma made at a seminar, that dalits shouldn’t be allowed to ride a horse, I decided to prove him wrong by coming to university campus on horseback along with a band,” he said.

Student of MA first year, Tepan, who claims to have been present at the seminar, said it was shocking that faculty members of reputed institutions had such mindset.

While meeting the vice-chancellor, students demanded that Sharma should apologize in public as he made remarks in seminar due to which dalit sentiments were hurt.

A similar memorandum was submitted to circle officer (Gandhi Nagar) Anil Rao in which they demanded Sharma’s arrest within three days.

Student leader Sunil Khatik alleged the police was not taking action against the guilty teacher and said a case was filed against Sharma after two days only when students’ group met a minister and were assured about action in the case.

“If he is not arrested within three days, a statewide agitation will be launched,” he warned. With Sharma’s apology, the students have called off the agitation.

Read more: Dalit proves point on horseback – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Dalit-proves-point-on-horseback/articleshow/6751164.cms#ixzz12cI5t6Nk