Survey of Devadasis from September: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: A fresh survey of Devadasi women will be carried out from September, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Saturday, while calling for strict action on the prevalence of the regressive system. 

“It has been decided to re-survey Devadasis from the first week of September to ensure effective rehabilitation. The Devadasi system is prohibited and at no cost should it continue,” Siddaramaiah said at the state council meeting of the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (SCSP-TSP). 

The last survey of Devadasis in the state was done in 2008. Then, over 40,000 Devadasis were identified. 

Karnataka banned the Devadasi system in 1984. 

“The government will suitably amend the law against the Devadasi system. Those who push girls into this system will face strong punishment,” Siddaramaiah said. “If the Devadasi system still exists, then our heads must hang in shame.”