Devadasi system – UPSC GS1

Devadasi system is a banned religious practice in some parts of India whereby parents marry a daughter to a deity or a temple.

The marriage usually occurs before the girl reaches puberty.

The Union Home Ministry in December 2015 had asked all states to take strong action against those involved in the heinous practice which is against the dignity of women.

System is still prevalent in some areas of TN and AP.

The NHRC has issued notices to the governments and police chiefs of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh over the alleged inhuman treatment being meted out to girls and women who are forcibly taken to temples as part of an old ritual that resembles the banned Devadasi system.

The girls and women are taken to temples of Goddess Mathamma for “offering” in Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu and adjoining places.

As a part of the ritual, the girls are dressed up as a bride and once the ceremony is over, their dresses are removed by five boys, virtually leaving them naked.

They are denied to live with their families and have education.

They are forced to live in Mathamma temple deemed to be like a public property and face sexual exploitation

This practice is allegedly “another form of Devadasi system”, which is still practiced in some parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

NHRC observations: The rights panel has observed that if the allegations are true, these amount to violation of human rights, including the right to education, rights to life and dignity besides the childrens rights.