Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Feb 28: A suit has been filed in Supreme Court (SC) relating to controversial practice of made madasnana ( also made made snana), a ritual that was in vogue in Lord Subramanya temple at Subramanya and some other temples in coastal Karnataka. The practice, in which devotees roll over plantain leaves containing leftover food in a bid to meet the religious vows they have previously taken in return from divine favours, has been banned by the state government.

Parpaje Venkataramana Bhat from Mani near Bantwal has filed this suit in the capacity as a devotee of Lord Subramanya. He has sought protection of his right as a devotee of the said temple. In all likelihood, a full, seven-judge bench of the SC will hear the suit, it is said.

Made madasnana controversy had erupted after several persons including some thinkers raised their voices against the practice, which they termed as inhuman and archaic. The secretary in the department of religious endowments had then issued orders banning the practice in 2012. Questioning the ban, several persons and organizations had approached the high court. Tribal people living around Subramanya, who are ardent devotees of Subramanya temple, had also appealed against this order. The high court had then permitted to use plantain leaves containing leftovers after having been offered to cows for the said practice.

The organization representing the tribals had then approached SC, which allowed resuming made madasnana, and got permission to continue with this practice. In 2014 however, some rationalists including Sri Veerabhadra Chennamalla Deshikendra Swami and H S Doreswamy had succeeded in securing stay order from SC. The issue is gaining prominence after a brief lull now.

The petitioner had earlier approached Subramanya temple management with a request to allow him to perform made madasnana during the annual Champa Shasti festival there, but the temple management had declined him permission, in view of SC order. Bhat in his petition has claimed that Made madasnana happens to be a part of his religious belief system which has not caused harm to anyone. He pointed out that so far no doctor has certified that this practice has caused harm to anyone. He has argued that this is not an inhuman practice as claimed, and that it is performed individually by devotees on their own will. Based on these arguments, Bhat has sought the apex court to permit him to perform this ritual.

Those who had filed objections to this practice in the past are likely to be served with notices relating to this case. It has to be seen whether the SC accepts Bhat's claim that his fundamental right has been compromised in denying him permission to perform Made Madasnana.