Human rights panel notice to govt over Adda Pallakki Utsav

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Friday issued notices to the State government and the Himavath Kedar Pooja Samiti over the practice of Adda Pallakki Utsav, where the seer of the Mutt is taken in procession in a palanquin.

The Commission was hearing the complaint filed by T Narasimha Murthy, alleging that the practice of Adda Pallakki Utsav, wherein four persons carry the seer on their shoulder around in a palanquin as god is not only inhuman, but also uncivilised.

“It is a violation of human rights of the people carrying the palanquin,” the complainant said.

Murthy contended that it is high time that this kind of Adda Pallakki Utsav is stopped. He sought the intervention of the SHRC.

The SHRC, after hearing the complaint, observed that ‘prima facie there appears to be merit in the complaint as certain religious practices have been found inimical to the weaker sections of society’.

“Though some have been abolished, some practices still persist. They would perpetuate the concept of superiority of some people over others,” the SHRC observed.

The commission has issued notices to the State law department, Bengaluru City police commissioner and general secretary of the Himavath Kedar Pooja Samiti, Bengaluru, directing them to file a reply.