Bangalore: The state BJP government is seriously considering a ban on the age-old ritual of Made-snana practised openly in Kukke Subrahmanya Temple during champa Shashti festival, as it has incurred a lot of social criticism from Dalits and other groups.

The Government has ordered the social welfare department to prepare a report on the subject in 4 days, i.e., is by Dec 11. However, the Muzrai Minsiter, Dr. V.S. Acharya, who is Brahmin from Udupi, has condoned it as an age-old healthy practice to ward off skin diseases of devotees. But public pressure is building up from thinkers, writers, backward classes leaders and certain rationalists to discontinue the practice in the open, the BJP government, is thinking of putting a stop to this controversial practice of rolling over Brahmin meals leftovers on Banana leaves, as seen on Dec 4 at Kukke temple.

There is a smell of untouchability at work in this ancient custom, it is slowly realized, in the name of faith. The social Welfare minister, A.Narayanaswamy would like to consult government officers before making a final decision. A team of officials is going to Kukke to study the issue further, before imposing a total ban on the ritual as it s now observed.