A recently initiated survey in Karnataka, intended to identify and aid former Devadasi women and their families, is encountering significant challenges. These include a lack of preparedness, confusion over required documentation, and insufficient awareness among the target population, impeding its progress. The initiative aims to rectify past omissions and provide support to a community historically marginalized.
Overview of the Devadasi System and Previous Surveys
The Devadasi system, where women were dedicated to temples and often subjected to sexual exploitation, has a long history in Karnataka. Past surveys conducted in 1982 and 1993-94 are reported to have been incomplete, leaving many Devadasi women and their children excluded from government assistance schemes. Concerns were raised that these earlier surveys suffered from several flaws:
Social stigma and fear: Many women avoided identification due to the risk of discrimination or punishment.
Arbitrary age limits: Specific age brackets were often used, excluding younger and older individuals.
Inadequate outreach: Surveys were sometimes conducted in offices, not reaching all eligible women.
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Community members and activists have long advocated for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to enumeration and rehabilitation.
Current Survey: Aims and Immediate Hurdles
The third Devadasi survey, launched across 15 districts in Karnataka, began on September 15, 2025. Its primary objective is to gather accurate socio-economic data to facilitate the rehabilitation of former Devadasi women. This survey follows a directive from the State Human Rights Commission, which mandated a fresh survey before October 24.
However, the survey has encountered immediate obstacles:
Lack of training for district committees: The committees tasked with overseeing the survey were reportedly not adequately trained prior to its commencement.
Confusion over required documents: Applicants are facing difficulties due to unclear requirements for documentation. Essential papers, such as a family tree, are proving problematic. The processing time for a family tree can take up to 21 days, making it challenging for women to register within the given timeline.
Inconsistent procedures across taluks: There is a lack of uniformity in how the survey is being conducted at the taluk level. In some areas, children of Devadasi women can self-declare their status without demanding extensive documentation, while in others, stringent requirements, including identity papers and family trees, are enforced.
Low awareness: Reports indicate a general lack of awareness about the survey and its requirements among the intended beneficiaries.
The Question of Age Limits
A significant point of contention in the current survey, echoing issues from previous efforts, is the imposition of an age limit. While some reports suggest a limit of 41 years, and others a proposed limit of 45 years from the 2024-25 budget speech, community members and activists are strongly opposing any age restrictions.
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They argue that such limits have historically led to the exclusion of many Devadasi women, perpetuating injustice. The demand is for an inclusive survey without any age-based discrimination.
"We want the government to drop the proposed age limit of 45 for its upcoming re-survey." - Yamanurappa, member of the Devadasi forum.
This insistence on age limits has been a recurring flaw, and its reintroduction in the current survey has drawn sharp criticism.
Operational Gaps and Activist Concerns
Activists on the ground are reporting that despite the launch of the survey, the designated district committees have not yet convened. This is seen as a critical procedural lapse, as their involvement is mandated by law, particularly under the Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) 2018 Bill.
The pace of the survey is also a concern. Instead of the targeted goal of covering one village per day, organizations are reporting that only five to six women are being processed daily. This inefficiency is attributed to the document-related hurdles and the general lack of preparedness.
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"Activists working on the ground say lack of documents and poor planning are slowing the process." - Shoba Gaste, Amma Foundation.
There is a growing consensus that the survey's current trajectory is hampered by poor planning and a failure to address fundamental logistical and administrative issues.
Ongoing Applications and the Path Forward
As of the latest reports, 6,222 fresh applications are still pending before taluk and district panels. This backlog underscores the difficulties being faced in processing applications efficiently.
The community's demands remain consistent:
An inclusive survey: Without age limits and with door-to-door enumeration where necessary, rather than relying solely on office-based processing.
Proper implementation of the 2018 Bill: Ensuring that the provisions for relief and rehabilitation are effectively enacted.
Adequate training and clear guidelines: For the committees and officials involved in the survey process.
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The success of the current survey hinges on addressing these procedural deficiencies and ensuring that the process is both comprehensive and compassionate, truly serving the intended beneficiaries.
Sources
CONVEN.ORG: https://conven.org/india/news/devadasi-survey-begins-in-karnataka-amid-confusion-over-documents-to-be-provided/
Context: This article reports on the commencement of the Devadasi survey, highlighting confusion over document requirements and lack of committee training.
The South First: https://thesouthfirst.com/karnataka/karnataka-launches-third-devadasi-survey-but-glitches-and-low-awareness-hamper-progress/
Context: This report details the launch of the survey, noting issues like inconsistencies in taluk procedures and low awareness.
The Times of India (Bengaluru News): https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/fresh-devadasi-survey-slowed-by-document-gaps-poor-planning/articleshow/123981989.cms
Context: This article focuses on the document gaps and poor planning that are slowing down the survey, citing the difficulty in obtaining a family tree and the low number of women being covered daily.
The New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2025/Jul/25/devadasis-in-karnataka-seek-inclusive-re-survey
Context: This report covers demands from Devadasi women and children for a more inclusive re-survey, highlighting problems with past surveys and advocating for the removal of age limits and door-to-door surveys.
Dhyeya IAS: https://www.dhyeyaias.com/current-affairs/daily-pre-pare/view/devadasi-community-in-karnataka-demands-inclusive-re-survey
Context: This article discusses the historical social status of Devadasis and highlights the flaws in previous survey exercises, including social stigma, age limits, and their matrilineal traditions, emphasizing the need for an inclusive approach.
The Times of India (Mangaluru News): https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/concerns-raised-regarding-age-limit-set-by-govt-for-devadasi-survey/articleshow/123101386.cms
Context: This article specifically addresses concerns raised about the age limit set for the Devadasi survey, arguing that it will lead to injustice. It references the budget speech for 2024-25 concerning administrative approval for the re-survey.
Flynews: https://www.newsflyall.com/india-news/activists-demand-devadasi-survey-with-situation-of-age-restrict/
Context: This report details activists' demands for a Devadasi survey without age restrictions, mentioning efforts by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) and past survey issues.
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