Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi
 
Udupi, Apr 20: A devotee alleged that she was subjected to caste-based discrimination (Pankti Bheda) for having food at Udupi Sri Krishna Math, recently. According to Vanitha Shetty she was asked to stop having lunch along with her Brahmin friends.

Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum symbolically protested against this in front of the SP’s office in Udupi. G Rajshekar, president of the Forum, addressed the gathering and said, “We have been seeing the system of Pankti Bheda all along. Such practices only apply to those other than Brahmins.  The Pankti Bheda is practiced everywhere, not just the rural area. The government must put an end to such tradition and through this, we are going to change our society.”

He also recalled the time when Mahatma Gandhi came to Udupi and asked that if people categorized as SC/ST had permission to enter the temple and if not, then he said he had no works there.
 
“There are many rural ‘gudis’ still have these practices. They are propagating caste discrimination in the name of tradition, religious practice, and cultural heritage. This is a challenge for the educated youth,” said Rajshekar. He also justified that he is not against rituals and is not denying traditions.

He further said that humans need not practice the caste system with which God doesn't
agree.

Nityananda Shetty, husband of Vanitha Shetty, urged for justice on behalf of his wife and sought equality in the society. “This is not the first instance, many such cases have occurred here . It is a matter of humiliation. She was disappointed that despite being a teacher she was treated badly,” he said.

G Rajshekar, D S Bengre and Paniraj appealed to the assistant SP and said they would approach higher authorities if action was not taken.