Date:09/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/09/stories/2005040910860300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

`Okuli' ritual banned

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELLARY, APRIL 8. The Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, S.N. Jayaram, has banned the celebration of "Okuli" (sprinkling of colours) as part of Ugadi festivities at Muddatanur village in Sirguppa taluk and Kallukambha in Bellary taluk on Saturday.

As part of the ritual, colours are sprinkled on women from the Scheduled Castes by men belonging to the upper castes. The district administration has banned the ritual to end the system of social discrimination.

The order, promulgated under Section 35 of the Karnataka Police Act, will be in force from 10 a.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday. Mr. Jayaram has also banned the carrying of arms, explosives, and other lethal weapons during the festivities.

As a precautionary measure, the sale of liquor has been banned in the two villages from 5 p.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday.