3 months ago
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Amid questions implicit the astir 50% diminution successful the fig of erstwhile devadasis crossed 15 districts successful Karnataka successful the latest survey report, 6,222 caller applications to beryllium included successful the database of erstwhile devadasis are pending earlier taluk/district-level committees
The survey numbers released connected Tuesday are of the surviving erstwhile devadasis and their first, second, and 3rd procreation household members, Women and Child Development Department sources said.
“Though 6,222 caller applications for inclusion person come, Deputy Commissioners person not decided connected them yet. We person communicated to the DCs connected aggregate occasions to hasten the process but to nary avail,” sources said.
Of the 23,265 persons not successful the list, astir are deceased portion immoderate refused to enactment successful the survey owing to their upward societal mobility and stigma attached, the authoritative claimed.
From 46,660 erstwhile devadasis identified successful 2007-2008, the numbers has declined to 23,395 successful the latest survey conducted betwixt September 15 and December 31, 2025. Interestingly, astir 30,000 erstwhile devadasis are presently receiving pensions.
Not last list
“The database is not final. There whitethorn beryllium galore genuine cases among the caller applicants. Once the territory and State-level committees o.k. caller applications, those applicants volition beryllium added to the list. The 23,395 identified erstwhile devadasis cannot beryllium made to hold for benefits till the caller applications are looked into,” a elder authoritative said.
On the first, second, and 3rd procreation household members of the deceased to beryllium included, the authoritative said: “Many person travel guardant by providing details. The applications of deceased erstwhile devadasi families volition besides beryllium considered.”
The authoritative besides pointed retired the ineligible hurdle preventing each applicants to beryllium straight considered arsenic erstwhile devadasis. Those claiming to person been dedicated to the devadasi contented station 1982 cannot beryllium considered since a authorities has been passed prohibiting the practise, the authoritative pointed out.
‘An eyewash’
Meanwhile, Yamanurappa Halavagli, State convener of Vimuktha Devadasi Mahila Mathu Makkala Vedike Karnataka, termed the survey arsenic “flawed” and said it was an “eyewash”.
“This was not a house-to-house survey and considered lone those supra 45 years, citing ineligible issue. There was nary consciousness astir the survey among galore too,” helium said.
Pointing retired that the intent of the survey was to place and see women who person remained excluded from the list, R.V. Chandrashekar, subordinate of the State-level committee said: “The section hurried done earlier the additions could beryllium done. In respective districts, committees person not held meetings. The State-level committee has not met adjacent once.”
He further claimed that the survey has not considered astir of the first, second, and 3rd procreation members of the deceased erstwhile devadasis. “In respective cases, women who went to use were threatened with ineligible consequences,” helium alleged.
