Devadasi community withdraws support to MNS before Assembly elections after party chief fails to address their issues
Devadasi community withdraws support to MNS before Assembly elections after party chief fails to address their issues
In a big jolt to Raj Thackeray, nine lakh women from the Devadasi community have decided to withdraw their support to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
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The underprivileged women had assured Raj of their votes when he promised to look into their problems and work towards the welfare of the community.
In their letter (a copy of which is with MiD DAY) to the MNS chief, the women have said they have withdrawn their support, as their problems find no mention in any of his public rallies, meetings or press conferences.
"We liked Raj Thackeray's work and thought he was different from other political leaders. But we were wrong.
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We met him in July, but since then he has neither thought about us nor has he spoken about our problems.
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We have sent him a letter stating that we won't vote for him. We will also boycott the Assembly election if out problems are not heard and acted upon," said Latatai Sakat, president, Maharashtra Niradhar woman committee, an NGO that was approached by the Devadasi women's organisation to voice their demands.
Who are Devadasis?
Devadasis are women who are given away to a local temple and married off to deities. They often serve as sex workers for temple priests and local bigwigs.
It is an age-old religious practice which still continues in some parts of Maharashtra and south India. Most of them are uneducated and have no savings.
Demands of the community
> The Maharashtra government should provide a monthly income of Rs 2,000 to u00a0helpless, handicapped and widows
> There should be a pension scheme that will ensure regular flow of income
> The state government should have a rehabilitation programme for the Devadasis and provide them with a yellow ration card that offers subsidies on foodgrains
> The ration card should be issued after getting a copy of the Panchanama if their husband is dead
14
The number of MNS candidates who have criminal records, according to a study conducted in 31 constituencies in Mumbai and Thane
The Other Side
MNS activist Satish Narkar said, "The women had met Rajsaheb and discussed their issues with him. 
They were promised that their issues will be looked at after MNS candidates win the election and come to power.
Nothing can be done for them without being in power." On allegations that the MNS did not speak about them at rallies, Narkar said, "I cannot say anything on this."
Lavani, tamasha for campaigning
Political parties hired Tamasha and Lavani artists to promote their candidates for the Assembly polls.
"There were at least 30 such performances in and around Pune," said Gafoorbhai Punekar, state president, Lok Kala Natya Chitra Kalakar Kalyan Mandal.
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The performers sang songs praising the candidates. The Congress and NCP paid Rs 2,000 per show while the Independents and rebel candidates paid Rs 3,000.
Congress and NCP leaders refused to comment. Lavani is a popular Maharashtrian folk dance.
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