Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Dec 5: Dakshina Kannada district superintendent of police (SP), Labhu Ram, said that Prabhakar, additional SP of the district, has been investigating the incident of assault on K S Shivaram, president of Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum, during his visit to Subrahmanya on Wednesday relating to Madesnana controversy, and other related incidents. He was speaking after presiding over the monthly meeting relating to the rederessal of grievances of scheduled castes and communities at the district police office here on Sunday December 4.
The Dalit leaders who participated in the meeting, asked the government to put an end to the Made Made Snana ritual at Dharmasthala, and expressed disgust at the above assault. They also demanded immediate action against those involved with the attack. They accused the police department of failing to extend protection to Shivaram during his visit. The SP said that a police sub-inspector and some policemen in plain clothes had accompanied Shivaram, but they could not concentrate on Shivaram because of rush due to annual festival at the temple.
The SP clarified that the issue of placing a ban on the above ritual vests with the state muzarai department. He said that those arrested in the case got bail as their offence is bailable. The participants expressed the opinion that minister, Dr V S Acharya, was wrong in voluntarily withdrawing the ban order against Made Made Snana. They accused the concerned of trying to sow seeds of enmity between different groups of Dalits, and demanded action against Puttur sub-divisional officer and deputy superintendent of police for the incident.
Dalit leaders like Shekhar from Beltangady, P Keshava, S P Anand, Lingappa Natur, Gopal Kadumutt etc were present.
In the meanwhile, in preparation for Subrahmanya Bandh planned for today, a vehicular jatha was organized in Subrahmanya at 10.30 am. The citizens, auto drivers, and devotees, who participated in the jatha, said that the sanctity and customs of the temple are being affected because of the row over Made Made Snana ritual. The jatha moved through Kumaradhara, Harihara Pallattadka, Balugod, Kollamogra, Kalmakar, Guttikar, Kamila, Panja, Balpa and Yenekal before reaching Subrahmanya at 5 pm.
Sullia Block Congress president, M Venkappa Gowda, addressing a press conference on Saturday, said that the party will be bound by the decision the devotees of the temple may take as regards Made Made Snana. He said that anger of devotees came to the fore because of hurting their sentiments. While agreeing that physical assault is illegal, he said such incidents have occurred because of hurt feelings. He felt that before placing a ban on this ritual, detailed discussions will have to be held.
In a statement, Sullia Taluk Shivalli Sampanna expressed anguish at making Swamijis and Brahmins a target for criticism in the guise of opposing Made Made Snana. "Brahmins have no role to play in Made Made Snana. Even Brahmin devotees take part in this ritual," the organization clarified.