Devadasis to hold convention in Hospet

Gulbarga, Apr 30 (UNI) CPI(M) affiliated Devadasi Vimochan Sangh will hold a two-day state level convention in Hospet in Bellary district from May 18.

Sangh President and CPI(M) State Committee Member Maruthi Manpade told newspersons here today that thousands of women pushed to the home based sex trade would attend the convention.

He regretted that there was laxity in implementing the 1982 act that prohibited the system. "Even after 25 years of the act, the Devadasi system continue to exist in the state," he said.

Referring to Chief Minister H D Kumara Swamy announcing recently some benefits and schemes for the Devadasis, he demanded that a pension of Rs 750 be given to all Devadasis irrespective of their age. The government should order a fresh survey to know exact number of women driven to the evil practice, he said.

A government survey put the number of Devadasis at 22,870.

However an estimated one lakh devadasis existed in the state, he said.

Vimocha Sangh Vice-president H Padma said that the Devadasis held various agitational programmes earlier this month in North Karnataka region, where the system was prevalent, urging the government to take steps to eradicate the system and announce a comprehensive rehabilitation programme.

"The Vimochan Sangh will hold a massive demonstration, with thousands of devadasis in attendance, in front of Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore in June, if the government failed to concede the demands," she added.

UNI