Kundapur: Caste discrimination - Priest, cleaners leave Koraga wedding in a huff

Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Jun 6: A marriage ceremony at Gangolli here witnessed high drama after the priest (purohit) left the function midway, raising objection to the fact that it was a Koraga community wedding. This happened despite the fact that he had earlier agreed to conduct the marriage rituals.

It is said that not only the priest, but even those who came to clean at the wedding walked out for the same reason.

The wedding of gram panchayat president Sakamma was scheduled to be held at Trasi hall on Wednesday June 5. A sum of Rs 42,000 was paid to the hall owner as rent, and for the expenses to arrange for the priest and for cleaning the hall.

On the day of the wedding, the priest as well as the cleaners arrived at the venue first. Soon, the families arrived in vehicles, and as per their community tradition, came in procession with music bands and 'chende'. As soon as the wedding party arrived, the priest and the cleaners realized that it was a Koraga wedding and felt anxious.

The priest, in a bid to escape from the venue, said that he had another programme to attend and made his way out. The bride's brother Ishwar and other family members pleaded the priest not to leave without conducting the rituals. It is said that the priest then openly spoke derogatory words on their caste and left the wedding in a huff.

The families felt helpless and anxious as the muhurat time was approaching. They immediately informed the Gangolli police on phone. Soon, the police led by sub-inspector Sampath Kumar arrived at the venue and as per their direction, the wedding was solemnized under the guidance of another priest from Kodapady.

However, the problems did not end there. It is learnt that during lunch time, the cleaners too expressed their objection to the wedding for the same reason as the priest, and walked out. People from the Koraga community were then hired to do the cleaning work, said family sources.

Owner of the hall Sridhar Ganiga, who had taken advance payment to make the arrangements, the priest and five women cleaners were booked by the Gangolli police on charges of discriminating against individuals on the basis of caste and insulting the community. The complaint was filed by bride's brother Ishwar.

Koraga community leader Ganesh, Dalita Sangharsha Samiti leaders Umesh, Shekar Maravanthe and others were present.