Karnataka baby-tossing festival may be banned

news ^ | December 05, 2009

[JoeProBono]

AUTHORITIES in southern India plan to ban an age-old ritual in which babies are tossed from the top of a nine-metre temple.

Every first week of December in a rural district in the state of Karnataka, villagers drop babies from the top of a Hindu temple onto a blanket held by a crowd below, amid dancing and singing.

Thousands of people assembled on Wednesday at the temple near Indi in the district of Bijapur to witness the event, which is said to confer good health and a long life on the baby and bring prosperity to the family. But the centuries-old tradition has fallen foul of local authorities.

"As I am new to the district, I did not know about the unusual ritual, which is inhuman and terrifying for babies," Bijapur deputy commissioner R Shantharaj said. "I intend to prevent the people from indulging in such acts next time."

The Karnataka Commission for the Protection of Child Rights plans to summon the priests at the Sri Santeswar temple to explain themselves after 200 infants were dropped this year.

"We have also sought a report from the district administration on the ritual to prevent a repeat of it," commission spokesperson Neena Nayak said. India, home to all the world's major religions and a country where superstitions are widespread, plays host to a rich variety of festivals each year.

In August, authorities in central India attempted to ban a bizarre annual stone-pelting ritual which often leaves people dead or injured.

[JoeProBono]

[Terpfen]

This will be a boon to the midget tossing industry.

[Kimmers]

Who and in what life did someone think this was a good idea.....

[rovenstinez]

Well, maybe they’ll be good paratroopers later on in life. Stopping this, next will be ending male circumcision for Jews.

[Loud Mime]

I wonder how Al Oerter would do in this event. /s

[shibumi]

Toss me....... Toss me. Don't tell the Elf!

[BenLurkin]

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[netmilsmom]

>>Who and in what life did someone think this was a good idea.....<<

Thank you.

[TSgt]

[shibumi]

Raining Babies

[hellbender]

I recommend looking at some of the other stories on that site, like the Thaipusam Piercing Festival. I think we need to encourage immigration from Thaipusam, because "diversity is strength" (the Army says so) and because these people will do the self-torture Americans won't do.

[Hot Tabasco]

authorities in central India attempted to ban a bizarre annual stone-pelting ritual which often leaves people dead or injured

Darn party poopers!

[ssapro]

We should have our own version of this odd tradition. Our version would be dropping congressman and senators from the top of the capitol dome, except the use of a blanket would not be allowed.

[Slings and Arrows]

I recommend looking at some of the other stories on that site, like the Thaipusam Piercing Festival.

And one week later, the Thaipusam Cellulitis and MRSA Festival.

[TexGuy]

... a bizarre annual stone-pelting ritual ...

It's almost like this stuff was ripped straight from a Monty Python sketch.

[netmilsmom]

Oh I like that!!!!

[RichInOC]

Okay, as long as babies caught=babies tossed, what’s the problem?

[Zeppo]

What on Earth has gotten into 'the authorities'?

First they ban the practice of suttee, now they're banning the baby-tossing festival.

Is there no end to this 'banning' madness?

Next thing you know, they're going to try to outlaw 'honor killings'...

I'm just gobsmacked by all of this...

Western civilization is such a burden, isn't it?