Bad treatment of women in Tamil Nadu temple: NHRC issues notice

Chennai: The National Human Rights Commission ordered notice be served on the Chief Secretary, DGP, Collector and SP of Thiruvallur for inhuman treatment meted out to girl children and women folk, who were forcibly taken to the temple of the goddess Sri Mathamma for offerings in Thiruvallur District.

The NHRC also issued notice to Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, DGP, Collector and SP Chittoor for conduct of the practice, which is considered a form of 'Devadasi' system, in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh.

It was alleged that as a part of the ritual, the girls were dressed as brides and once the ceremony got over, their dresses removed by five boys, virtually leaving them naked. They were not allowed to live with their families and get educated. They are forced to live in Mathamma temple deemed to be like a public property and face sexual exploitation.

In the order, NHRC said it had taken cognisance of a complaint drawing its attention towards inhuman treatment being meted out to the girl children and women folk, who were forcibly taken to the temple of Sri Mathamma for offering in Thiruvallur district and adjoining places recently. The practice, considered to be another form of 'Devadasi' system, is being practised in parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The Commission observed that the allegations made in a complaint and media reports about the continuance of this practice are serious in nature and, if true, these amount to violation of human rights including right to education, life and dignity besides children's rights.

It issued notices to CS, DGP and other officials of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to file reports in four weeks.