Poornima Ravi, director of the documentary ‘God’s Wives, Men’s Slaves’, has raised serious concerns about the age restriction in the Karnataka government’s proposed Devadasi re-survey. Her 78-minute film, released two years ago, explores the enduring struggles of former Devadasi women in the state.
As per the 2024–25 state budget, administrative approval was granted for a comprehensive re-survey to assess the social and economic conditions of former Devadasis and aid in their rehabilitation. The move was also reinforced by the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, which mandated the survey be completed by October 2025.
However, Poornima, a guest faculty member pursuing a PhD on Devadasi representations in Indian English literature, pointed out a critical flaw: the survey will include only women aged 41 and above. She highlighted that past surveys in 1982, 1993–94, and 2007–08 also suffered due to similar age restrictions, leaving many young victims unacknowledged and unsupported.
“Many girls were dedicated as Devadasis at a very young age and are still under 40. We uncovered this during our documentary work,” she said, adding that clandestine dedications continue even today.
By repeating this age-based exclusion, the government risks further marginalizing victims who are already living in extreme deprivation. “This injustice also affects their children and grandchildren,” she stressed.
Poornima urged the state to remove the age cap immediately and conduct an inclusive survey that ensures justice for all Devadasi victims, regardless of age.