Tradition of rolling on used food plates

Mangalore: It's said that all men are equal before God. However, the treatment meted out to Dalits in the name of religion and tradition in an ancient South Indian temple is baffling.

At the famous Kukke Shri Subramanya temple in southern Karnataka, there is a 400-year-old ritual called Madhe Snana. As part of the ritual, Dalits are asked to roll on used banana leaves, which are used as food plates in religious ceremonies.

The ritual starts with a feast for Brahmins who are fed on banana leaves. Once they finish eating, the Dalits are asked to roll over the used banana leaves. The Brahmins claim that the practice cures them of diseases.