Mangaluru: K. Shivaramu, president of Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagriti Vedike, on Monday expressed disappointment over the order of Karnataka High Court on allowing made snana to continue in its traditional form.
Speaking to reporters in the city, he said “the practice of made snana is ugly and inhuman practice and against the scientific temper”. Hence, the State government must interfere and pass an ordinance banning the practices of Pankti Bheda (separate sitting arrangements for Brahmins during lunch) and Made Snana (where devotees of other castes roll on the leftovers of lunch by Brahmins) in temples in the State, he said.
Made Snana is scheduled to be held on November 25, 26 and 27 during Subrahmanya Shasti and during Kiru Shasti at Kukke Subrahmanya temple and a few other temples in the state.
Shivaramu, who was assaulted during the last year’s ritual when a group led by him staged a protest against it, said the forum with the help of four seers would hold an awareness programme in every district of the state. On November 25, we will stage demonstration condemning the practice, he said.
Shashidar Sangapura and L Shekar, dalit activists were present.
The made snana practice was opposed by progressive thinkers lead by Nidumamidi Swamiji who filed a writ petition at the High Court. The then government had submitted to the court that it would stop ‘Made Snana’ and instead start a modified version- ‘Yede Snana’ where devotees could roll on ‘naivedyam’ offered to God. The bench headed by Chief Jutice Vikramajit Singh and B V Nagarathna had given its nod to this modified version on Nov. 8, 2012. Recently, the Karnataka High Court allowed continuation of “Made Snana” ritual in its traditional form.
