By Vanu Dev
Discrimination based on caste has raised its ugly head once again at the revered Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi (coastal Karnataka) with an assistant professor of a well-known university being evicted from the dining hall after the authorities concerned found out that she did not belong to the priestly class.
The issue has snowballed into a major political issue with parties, led by CPI(M), launching state-wide agitation against the temple, which is headed by Sri Vishweshateertha Swami of Pejawar Mutt, an outspoken supporter of the BJP and the RSS.
He was at the forefront of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
The incident at Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi, Karnataka, has snowballed into a major political issue. The incident, which took place a fortnight ago, has upset the local Bunt community (dominant in coastal Karnataka).
Prof Vanitha N. Shetty of a renowned college from Manipal had visited the temple, which is managed by the Sri Krishna Mutt, on April 15.
She entered the ‘Bhojana Shala’ (dining hall) of the temple for lunch.
One of the staff, who inquired about her caste, asked her to leave the dining hall when the professor told him that she was a Bunt.
Apparently, the staff directed her to another dining hall (located on the first floor) in the temple where food is served to people from non-priestly class (non-Brahmins).
An enraged Professor Vanitha left the temple after objecting to the humiliation.
Later, she brought the matter to the notice of a few NGOs. The practice of serving food to priestly class and other communities in separate dining halls is prevalent in most temples controlled by Brahmins in Karnataka.
The practice is termed as ‘Pankti Bedha’ and this has often led to skirmishes between local communities.
Though the Pejawar Mutt seer had claimed last year that the temple no more practiced ‘Pankti Bedha’, the latest incident has exposed his contention.
NGOs of Udupi district have launched a protest seeking to end the practice in the 800-year-old temple.
“It is appalling to know that such practices exist even in these times.
“The temple should immediately stop this discrimination based on caste.
“The state government has to intervene in the matter to ensure equality,” said G. Rajashekar, president, Komu Souharda Vedike.
CPI(M) Karnataka secretary G.V. Srirama Reddy dubbed the incident as humiliating.
“The Sri Krishna Mutt is promoting casteism through this kind of a discriminatory practice.
“Do they even know which age they are living in? The government should immediately end this unhealthy practice,” he added.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that the Sri Krishna Temple has been at the centre of such controversies.
Originally, the Sri Krishna Temple was under the purview of the government.
However, when Yeddyurappa was the chief minister, bowing to pressure from the RSS and Hindu leaders, he de-notified the temple and the Sri Krishna Mutt took over its management.
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