Every January, nearly half a million people visit the small town of Saundatti to be blessed by Yellamma, the Hindu goddess of fertility. Some girls from the "untouchable" caste "marry" Yellamma from early childhood. They are never allowed to marry a mortal, as they are forced to devote their lives to the service of the goddess. This was once considered a holy calling, but in practice, to become a devadasi is a direct path to sexual exploitation.
Centuries ago, the Devadasi were educated in prayer, music and dance. They were often courtesans, but they had a control over their lives that to the rest of Indian women did not have. The Devadasi system was created by the feudal class and the priests. Apparently, they devised a way to give prostitution religious and official approval.
At puberty, the devadasi "serve" the priests and residents of the temple, zamindars (local landowners) and other men with money and power. The "service" (sexual satisfaction) given to these men is considered akin to serving God. If a devadasi escaped her fate, she would be rejected by society. These girls are also extremely vulnerable to being sold or trafficked to brothels in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and other major cities.
It is estimated that over 450,000 devadasi are trapped in this hideous form of prostitution, glorified by religious laws. According to the Devadasi Security Act of 1934, the practice is banned in India. The ban was reinforced again in 1980, but it is broken every day. Poverty and being an "untouchable" contributes to the persistence of this terrible practice. It will take intelligent and effective actions to transform traditions and the poverty that pushes families to offer their daughters as devadasi.
LET’S EDUCATE DISADVANTAGED MINORITIES
Source: theguardian.com
