Vedike sets deadline as Govt refuses to impose ban on 'Made-Snana'

December 13, 2011

Mangalore, December 13: Refusing to impose a ban on the casteist ritual of 'Made-Made-Snana' being practiced at government-run Kukke Subrahmanya Temple in Sullia Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, Muzrai Minister V S Acharya said that the government would bring together various groups to find a 'suitable solution' to the issue.

Making a statement on the issue after elaborate discussion in the Legislative Council, Mr Acharya claimed that there was nothing wrong in his stance on the practice.

He also reiterated that the media had been training guns on the Muzrai department only after he became the minister. “They have nothing new to write about. Hence the sensationalism. The media has only been misguiding the people. We will never be dictated by any agenda,” he said, adding that the government was keen to address the issue.

“We are in the world of nano technology. But the reactions to antigen-antibody are yet to be properly understood. The subject of immunology is vast and it is an unknown package. 'Made-Made-Snana' seems inhuman to most of us. But there is a native belief that rolling on other people's saliva may work as an antibody and serve as a cure for the illness.”

Leader of the opposition in the Council, Motamma, had earlier attacked the government for allowing the belief, which she termed, an inhuman act.

Deadline

Meanwhile, Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jagruthi Vedike president K S Shivaramu urged the government to ban the 'Made-Made-Snana before December 30.

Addressing a press meet in Mysore on Monday, he said If the government failed to do so, the Vedike would take out out a padayatra from Bangalore to Udupi, through Kukke Subramanya in January, with the blessing of Nidumamidi Mahasamsthana Mutt Veerabhadra Channamalla Swamiji.

He said that in the name of tradition, devotion and God, thousands of innocent people are exploited in religious places. The 'Made-Made-Snana' where Dalits roll on soiled leaves used by Brahmins is against humanitarianism, and such evil practices are a threat to the society, he said.

The government should ban 'Made Snana' like other evil practice such as sati, naked service, devadasi, child marriage etc, he urged.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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