The Mahila Maha Okkuta of Liberated Devadasi Mothers urges the Karnataka Government to immediately implement promised welfare programmes and the Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Act, 2025, pending Presidential assent.
Devadasi women and their families continue to face poverty, inadequate housing, unemployment, limited education, healthcare challenges and social stigma despite previous government welfare measures.
The key demands include:
•Increase the monthly pension from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 and remove the age limit.
•Conduct a transparent re-survey and approve the 2025 re-survey report.
•Provide safe houses, house sites and increased housing assistance.
•Increase self-employment assistance from ₹45,000 to ₹2 lakh and provide livelihood training and affordable loans.
•Clear pending marriage, housing and other welfare applications.
•Provide agricultural land and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
•Ensure regular healthcare, health insurance and funeral assistance.
•Establish a separate Devadasi Rehabilitation Corporation.
•Strengthen Self-Help Groups through grants, training, loans and market support.
•Provide scholarships, free education, hostels and higher-education support for children and grandchildren across three generations.
•Create skill training, job fairs and employment opportunities for youth from Devadasi families.
•Prevent corruption and eliminate middlemen in the distribution of government benefits.
•Conduct regular grievance meetings at State, district and taluk levels.
•Ensure comprehensive rehabilitation, social justice, equal opportunities and a dignified life for former Devadasi women and their families.
Overall appeal: The Government is urged to act immediately so that welfare promises reach deserving families and the three generations affected by the Devadasi system can achieve education, economic independence, social security and a secure future.
