Devalayagalalli Atmasthairya initiative for girls in villages likely to be finalized

Bengaluru: ‘Devalayagalalli Atmasthairya’, an initiative to teach self-defense and other courses to girls and young women in rural temples is likely to be launched soon.

Members of the Karnataka Rajya Dharmika Parishath, who are meeting in Bengaluru on April 9, are expected to recommend to the state government that the temple premises should be used to teach karate, other self-defense, and music classes to girls and women in rural parts.

Muzarai Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary said there was a proposal to introduce the same programme, ‘Devalayagalalli Atmasthairya’, for girls in villages sometime back but could not go ahead because of Covid and lockdown.

“The proposal has resurfaced. We will discuss it with officials and Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, and take a final call,” he added.

The state has over 34,000 temples run by the Endowments Department, of which 175 are categorized as Class A (with an annual income of above Rs 25 lakh), 158 as Class B (annual income of Rs 5-25 lakh) and the rest as Class C (income of less than Rs 5 lakh). This apart, thousands of temples are run by private trusts, organizations, and individuals.