Why Is The Centre Interfering In Adivasi Ritual ‘Made Snana’

The Adivasi ritual ‘made snana’ is facing a possible court ban with the central government seeking to put an end to the ritual, in a move seen as an attack on a harmless and voluntary practice.

The religious practice, predominantly followed in temples in Karnataka, where devotees roll over plaintain leaves after food served on them are eaten by people belonging to a higher caste. Then take a dip in a nearby river, which is believed to wash away the sins, and even cure skin and other ailments.

The Social Justice Ministry has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court demanding a ban on the ritual practised at the famous Kukke Subramanya temple in South Karnataka, calling it “inhuman and superstitious” that also affects human dignity and health.

This comes close on the heels of restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on Dahi Handi pyramids and calling the shots in Shani-Shingnapur and Jallikattu issues.

The Adivasi Budakattu community, which has the right to conduct major events at the temple, said it is hurt by the move and that the devotees roll over the neivedya (prasad) voluntarily. It asserted that the ritual does not discriminate on the basis of caste or creed.

BK Bhaskara Bendody, state president, Adivasi Budakattu Hitarakshana Vedike, had written to the President of India earlier in the year to permit continuation of the made snana, the meaning of which is – made (leftovers) and snana (bath).

He said the Kukke Shri Subrahmanya temple, which is under the control of the endowment department of the state, is more than 5,000 years old and dedicated to snake god naga deva.

The Centre in its affidavit has clarified that it cannot allow the ritual under the right to freedom of religion enshrined in the Constitution.