Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Dec 12: K S Shivaram, president of Karnataka Backward Class Awareness Forum, on Saturday December 12 said that Yede Snana, the practice of rolling over 'prasadam' offered to deity, was as regressive as Made Snana, wherein devotees roll over leftovers on plantain leaves. He also challenged Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji to hold a 'sahapankti bhojana' (inter-caste fellowship meal) with civic workers and people from the Dalit and backward class communities during the upcoming Paryaya if he was really concerned about their welfare.

Addressing a press meet here, Shivaram said, "The practice of Yede Snana as suggested by Pejawar Swamiji in place of Made Snana should also be stopped. Such practices reinforce caste discrimination and varna system by suppressing the lower caste.

"Made Snana is an inhuman practice and a blind belief. We want equality, hence such kind of superstitions should not be practised. We will also demand the chief minister to pass the anti-superstition bill," he said.

"Pejawar Swamiji goes to Dalit colonies out of concern and hold padayatra, but if he has real concern, he should hold a 'sahapankti bhojana' with civic workers and people from Dalit and backward communities during the upcoming Paryaya on January 18. We will also give him a memorandum on this, and if he agrees, I too will participate," he said.

"Pejawar Swamiji also talks about construction of Ram Mandir, but in the present scenario, we need Buddha Mandir and not Ram Mandir. Treating everyone equally is very important, and building Ram Temple will only be reinforcing the varna system and promiting caste system," he said.

He also informed that his Forum would be holding a massive protest in Mysuru on January 15, 2016 against superstitions and blind beliefs and demanding anti-superstition bill.

Shekar Beltangady, president of Dalit Hakkugala Horata Samiti, Beltangady, was present.