One-man Commission Chairman V. Raghunatha Rao received petitions and held discussions with voluntary associations and individuals on the problems being faced by joginis, mathangis, devadasis, and basavis in Vijayawada on Tuesday.
As part of the three-day study in the district, Mr. Rao heard the devadasis who poured out their problems and humiliation faced by them in society in front of the commission. They said that none of them was continuing the tradition and took up other jobs to eke out a living.
But, the society has a tendency to demean the devadasis who coined new name Surya Balija to avoid social stigma and discrimination.
Surya Balija Sangham complained to the commission that the officials were not implementing the GO 15 dated March 23, 1995 which makes it mandatory to issue caste certificate as Surya Balija instead of mentioning the nomenclature devadasi, kalavanthula, etc. in the bracket or suffix to Surya Balija.
They urged the commission to recommend to the government to provide a safety net on par with the SCs and STs against atrocities. They also wanted the commission to recommend better group in BC as against existing BC (D). Providing loans, rehabilitation of the devadasis were some of the other demands.
Mr. Rao suggested the petitioners that they could file private cases in court of law if someone abused them in the name of caste. It amounted to ragging also.
So, the cases under Ragging Act could also be slapped if the children were ill-treated in schools and colleges, he said.
The State government constituted the commission in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling. On completion of the statewide study, he would suggest to the government the steps to improve the scheme for rehabilitation of such women.
