HUBBALLAI: For centuries, they were ostracised and condemned to survive on alms, but are now able to stand up and be counted as many former Devadasis have won the recent Gram Panchayat polls in Bagalkot district.
One of them, Shanta Musheppagol, 47, plans to transform the lives of these oppressed women by providing adequate drinking water, toilets and other facilities announced by the state government, after her victory in Shirol village of Mudhol taluk in Bagalkot district. After serving as a volunteer for women self-help groups for nearly two decades, she entered politics with the support of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangh which has bagged a majority of seats in the village.
Like Shanta, Durgavva Lakkavvagol, who was elected to Nagaral Gram Panchayat albeit with the support of Congress, said: “My first priority is to ensure that all women in my village get toilets as open defecation could put them at risk. I will also work ensure that poor women get loans to take up dairy. More representation in the panchayat raj system will help to get our work done and thus empower Devadasis because they will get all benefits under various schemes.”
Besides, Shanta and Durgavva, several former Devadasis have been elected as Gram Panchayat members in Bagalkot district which has around 8,000 people belonging to the community. It was a cakewalk for them because they had established a good rapport with voters in rural areas by staging streetplays as part of the campaign against child marriage which was the root cause for Devadasi system to thrive in the region. Most of them are also focusing on providing good education to children of former Devadasis.
“I have become a Gram Panchayat member as political parties have given an opportunity to the oppressed class women to contest elections through the reservation system. There are a lot of changes in the life of these women as more than 90 per cent of the Devadasi system has been eradicated. This has become possible as large number of Devadasi women are being elected to panchayats and urban local bodies,” Renuka Madar, who won the election with the support of Congress in Bisanal village of Bilagi taluk, told Deccan Chronicle.
Their entry at the lowest rung of democratic system comes at a time when thousands of Devadasis live without basic amenities in Bagalkot district. They recently staged protests against measly funds to support their entry into business and lack of adequate land to earn their livelihood through agriculture.
