New dawn for Gopalapura women

Hassan: It was a day of  liberation  for young girls and lactating mothers of Gopalapura village in Arasikere,  Hassan on Tuesday. Barred from entering the  village for three days when menstruating,  young girls were finally allowed to enter it as the people met to debate the inhuman practice which has been in vogue for centuries here. 

Lactating mothers, who too were forced to stay out of the village for about three months not to long ago, were told they were free to come and go as they pleased following the meeting.

“In the  past menstruating girls and lactating mothers were forced to stay in a thatched hut and food was served to them by their respective families. Huts were either built on the roadside, under the trees or in the fields.

At night, these girls and women stayed in a school building, but returned to their huts the next morning,” said a villager. The practice changed only a little over the years, with lactating mothers allowed to stay in hospitals for three days before entering their homes instead of in huts.

“Villagers believed they would be angering the gods if they allowed menstruating girls and lactating mothers to remain in their homes. It was blind belief, ”  explained former gram pancahyat member,  Shivanna.

“This practice which has been in vogue for  centuries  came to end after a meeting with the villagers, parents and officials on Tuesday,” said taluk social welfare officer,  Satyanarayan.  

Following the decision, four menstruating girls were given a bath and allowed to enter their homes and were told they would never again have to face the humiliation of being barred from entering the village during their monthly cycles.

“The educated and employed members of the Yadava community have been trying to bring in change, but such practices continue in some villages,” regretted Mr Rajanna, Arasikere taluk president.