Karnataka has initiated its third survey to identify Devadasis, but the process is already fraught with confusion over the necessary identification documents. Adding to the challenge, activists are concerned about the insufficient public awareness surrounding the survey, suggesting that many who could benefit might not even know it’s happening.
On the very first day, numerous Devadasi women who approached their local Women and Child Welfare Department offices were forced to return home, unable to complete the registration due to missing documents, including proof of their family tree. Additionally, technical glitches and server issues in some areas further hindered the registration process.
The government has outlined over a dozen documents required for Devadasis and their family members who were missed in previous surveys or who belong to the families of deceased Devadasis. However, a contradiction exists: while a comprehensive list is provided, officials at the taluk level indicate that a simple self-declaration is also acceptable, contributing to the overall confusion.
The Challenge of the Family Tree
Shobha S. Gasthi, a former Devadasi and a member of the government-appointed Belagavi district committee, voiced concerns that demanding a family tree could unfairly exclude many from receiving essential benefits. She emphasized that obtaining such a document could easily take more than two weeks, by which time the survey might already be concluded.
Gasthi also noted the lack of preparedness, stating that despite the survey’s commencement, the district committee has yet to convene a single meeting.
Echoing these sentiments, Yamanurappa Halavagli, the son of a Devadasi and State coordinator for the Karnataka Vimuktha Devadasi Mahila Matthu Makkala Vedike, criticized the lack of transparency. He pointed out that district committees had not received adequate training before the survey began, and in several districts, these committees haven’t even been formally established.
A Survey Across 15 Districts
This crucial survey is being conducted across 15 districts in North and Central Karnataka, regions where the historical practice of dedicating women to temple services continues to persist, despite the Karnataka Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedication) Act of 1982 outlawing it.
Previous surveys in 1993-1994 and 2008-2009 identified 23,630 and 46,660 Devadasis, respectively. However, thousands were reportedly excluded from these lists due to an age restriction that only considered individuals aged 45 and above.
The initiation of the current survey comes after a directive from the State Human Rights Commission, which mandated the government to conduct a new survey before October 24.
The Role of Self-Declaration
Despite the initial confusion, government officials in Bengaluru have clarified that a self-declaration is indeed sufficient, and a family tree is not a mandatory requirement. An official explained, “Applications from those not identified in previous surveys will be reviewed by a Deputy Commissioner-led committee, which will verify and officially recognize an applicant as a Devadasi. This process is proceeding concurrently with the main survey.”
Regarding concerns about age criteria, official sources commented that while the Devadasi system may still exist as a religious custom, its social evil aspects largely diminished long ago. They also cautioned about potential attempts by ineligible individuals to seek inclusion in the list due to the attractive benefits offered.