Devadasi survey: 6,222 fresh applications still pending before taluk/district panels in Karnataka

Amid questions over the nearly 50% decline in the number of former devadasis across 15 districts in Karnataka in the latest survey report, 6,222 fresh applications to be included in the list of former devadasis are pending before taluk/district-level committees

The survey numbers released on Tuesday are of the surviving former devadasis and their first, second, and third generation family members, Women and Child Development Department sources said.

“Though 6,222 fresh applications for inclusion have come, Deputy Commissioners have not decided on them yet. We have communicated to the DCs on multiple occasions to hasten the process but to no avail,” sources said.

Of the 23,265 persons not in the list, most are deceased while some refused to participate in the survey owing to their upward social mobility and stigma attached, the official claimed.

From 46,660 former devadasis identified in 2007-2008, the numbers has declined to 23,395 in the latest survey conducted between September 15 and December 31, 2025. Interestingly, about 30,000 former devadasis are currently receiving pensions.

Not final list

“The list is not final. There may be many genuine cases among the fresh applicants. Once the district and State-level committees approve fresh applications, those applicants will be added to the list. The 23,395 identified former devadasis cannot be made to wait for benefits till the fresh applications are looked into,” a senior official said.

On the first, second, and third generation family members of the deceased to be included, the official said: “Many have come forward by providing details. The applications of deceased former devadasi families will also be considered.”

The official also pointed out the legal hurdle preventing all applicants to be directly considered as former devadasis. Those claiming to have been dedicated to the devadasi tradition post 1982 cannot be considered since a legislation has been passed prohibiting the practise, the official pointed out.

‘An eyewash’

Meanwhile, Yamanurappa Halavagli, State convener of Vimuktha Devadasi Mahila Mathu Makkala Vedike Karnataka, termed the survey as “flawed” and said it was an “eyewash”.

“This was not a house-to-house survey and considered only those above 45 years, citing legal issue. There was no awareness about the survey among many too,” he said.

Pointing out that the purpose of the survey was to identify and include women who have remained excluded from the list, R.V. Chandrashekar, member of the State-level committee said: “The department hurried through before the additions could be done. In several districts, committees have not held meetings. The State-level committee has not met even once.”

He further claimed that the survey has not considered most of the first, second, and third generation members of the deceased former devadasis. “In several cases, women who went to apply were threatened with legal consequences,” he alleged.