Karnataka government plans new legislation to strengthen fight against Devadasi system
The Karnataka government is drafting a new law, the Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Bill, to replace the existing four-decade-old legislation from 1982. The proposed law aims to strengthen efforts against the Devadasi system by eliminating the need for a father's name in official documents and recognizing the right of a Devadasi's child to identify their father through DNA tests, ensuring property and inheritance rights. It also proposes increasing the jail term for those abetting the practice from three to five years, addressing a long-standing demand for comprehensive rehabilitation.
Key Points
- Karnataka is developing a new law to replace the 1982 Devadasi (Prohibition and Dedication) Act.
- The new legislation will remove the requirement for a father's name in application forms for children of Devadasis.
- It will include provisions for paternity tests and grant property and inheritance rights to children of Devadasis.
- The proposed law increases the maximum jail term for abetting the Devadasi system from three to five years.
Exam Facts
- Existing law: Karnataka Devadasi (Prohibition and Dedication), 1982.
- Proposed law: Karnataka Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Bill.
- Existing jail term: maximum three years.
- Proposed jail term: maximum five years.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.