The Hindu : Red letter day for Potharajus

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 02, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Red letter day for Potharajus

By Our Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD AUG. 1 . It was a red letter day in the lives of 41 Potharajus (priests initiating girls into the Jogini system), when they took the bold step of cutting their hair and denouncing the age-old system.

In the presence of the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes Services Cooperative Society Limited Chairman, Areti Kotaiah, and the District Collector, G. Asok Kumar, the Potharajus took a pledge that they would never again make an attempt to initiate any girl into the Jogini system. A programme was organised by the district administration at the Collectorate grounds to mark the reformation of the Potharajus on Thursday.

The Potharajus, apart from acting as priests in the Jogini system also participate in the `Ooru Panduga', the village festival, where they are forced to slit the throat of tender lamb with their teeth. It is said the Potharajus grow their hair and never cut it in their lifetime claiming that all the divine powers are in their hair.

Addressing the gathering, Kotaiah said that the selfishness of a few village elders was the root cause for the prevalence of the age-old Jogini and Potharaju systems. He said the Potharaju system dates back to 250 years and said that unless collective efforts are made, the activities of the few individuals who are determined to take advantage of the pathetic condition of the downtrodden, cannot be curbed. He said the Government had earmarked Rs. 70 crores for the rehabilitation of the Joginis and Potharajus. He complimented the district administration for taking effective steps to curb this problem.

The District Collector said the Potharajus in the district should voluntarily come forward and denounce the age-old system and lead a normal life. He said there are funds to rehabilitate them and added that unless the Potharajus quit the system, the Jogini system cannot be eliminated. He said so far 231 Potharajus had come forward to cut their hair and pointed out that 2,167 Joginis had also been rehabilitated through the Government schemes.

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Red letter day for Potharajus