Topic started by Ramakrishna (@ pool0213.cvx24-bradley.dialup.earthlink.net) on Thu Aug 22 11:55:48 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

here is something to cause more outrage-

Chennai, Aug 22 (IANS) Tamil Nadu woke up Thursday to shocking pictures of unconscious children being momentarily buried alive during a temple ritual.

Reports here said as many as 105 children -- boys and girls between 4 and 20 years of age -- were used in the burial ritual, called the pit festival, in Madurai district, about 500 km south of here.

State Urban Development Minister C. Durairaj, who hails from the region, watched the children being buried at a temple in Perayur village, about 50 km from the temple town of Madurai.

The minister said he was "invited by the community" and had no comments on the practice that child rights groups call abusive.

The temple authorities claim the children are buried "only for a minute" while their parents offer prayers hoping their wishes will be granted.

Chandra Thanikachalam, joint secretary of the Indian Council of Child Welfare (ICCW), told IANS: "Although we have no reports of such a tradition, it is dangerous for children. ICCW is against any glorification of such practices cruel to the child. The effect on the child can be extremely traumatic."

The ritual, locals told reporters, is traditional in the area and has been observed for 400 years. It is held once every seven years.

The ritual takes place in the temple of goddesses Muthukuzhi Mariamman and Kaliamman. Families make promises to the deities and, to fulfil their vows, their children are buried alive. The girls chosen for the ceremony are younger than eight years of age.

The child is tired out or given sedatives and covered in holy ash and turmeric paste by the family. The child has to become unconscious. If this does not happen, the ritual is cancelled and the family fined Rs.1,000.

The unconscious or semi-conscious child is then wrapped in a yellow cloth by the parents and taken to the temple. On the temple ground, a pit is dug and the child buried alive for a few seconds while mantras are chanted. The parents break coconuts during the time as offerings to the goddesses.

The child is then taken out of the pit and daylong celebrations follow.

Responses:

• From: fridge (@ netcache6.is.co.za) on: Mon Aug 26 05:39:12
  
  I watched a programme on T.V once which showed that child sacrifices were done in India so that ones finances are could be improved. I am sure that this is a morderne form of child sacrifice.
  
  It is still a very sick ritual, Holy ash and tumeric does not make it religious. People should be educated about things like this
  
  
• From: pradheep (@ 207.177.73.100) on: Mon Aug 26 14:07:32
  
  Fridge you are right. We are all part of these crimes. we get educated and never care for others to share what we learn. This causes ingronace in society. We tend to grow more selfish and not care for others. as vivekandana said, its a crime of the educated not caring for the ignorant.
  
  
• From: :) Punnahai (@ d150-35-51.home.cgocable.net) on: Mon Aug 26 15:24:12
  
  >>child sacrifices were done in India so that ones finances are could be improved. <<
  
  Leaving aside the rituals, does this also show a deep rooted selfishness within the Indian psyche? How far are we willing to go to improve our finances? Selfishness cannot be changed by education :((
  
  
• From: fridge (@ netcache6.is.co.za) on: Tue Aug 27 06:29:13
  
  Punnahai
  
  I think that educating people will definately reduce some of these problems, When people are ignorant about certain issues they will continue doing the wrong things. I am sure that child sacrifice for financial gain is a learnt behavior as well these people need to unlearn these behaviours, hard but with proper role models and information this can be done
  
  "Selfishness cannot be changed by education :(("
  Come on have some faith In the Human race,
  When people are shown the impact of their behaviour change can happen.
  
  Pradheep
  Ignorance in society is a major problem, I think that in the Indian community with strong cultural values and age old traditions make this problem a tough one to overcome. How do you get people to keep the good values and get rid of the inhumane ones without changing their religion, by asking people who take part in child sacrifices to stop mean asking them to change their religion?
  
  
• From: Marie Lugo (@ pmfair1-242.rconnect.com) on: Tue Dec 9 01:23:30
  
  People in other countrys have no remorse for the fact that they are bury peoples flesh and blood in the ground alive. I dont care if its for religion or not what possesses a person to do such a thing. My opinion would to be send those people to prison for a long time thats just like killing a child. damn Pun jabs
  
  
• From: Star (@ dial0-331.dialin.uic.edu) on: Tue Dec 9 02:34:27 EST 2003
  
  This is all Christian propoganda. Don't believe. Rubbish!
  
  
• From: jumanji (@ adsl-67-67-120-148.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net) on: Wed Apr 21 16:44:07
  
  this web site sucks
  
  

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