Karnataka to launch statewide survey of gender minorities, Devadasis

Karnataka government on Thursday announced a baseline survey of gender minorities across the state for the first time, and a re-survey of former Devadasi women in 15 districts. The surveys will be conducted to gather accurate information about their socio-economic conditions and to provide social, economic, and educational rehabilitation, said a release issued by the office of Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. Simultaneously, the government will carry out a survey of Devadasi women, which will also start September 15. Both surveys will be completed in 45 working days, Women & Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar's office said in a statement. On Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched posters for both surveys, which will be held under the aegis of the Karnataka State Women's Development Corporation.

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ವಿಧಾನ ಸೌಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಸನ್ಮಾನ್ಯ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾದ @siddaramaiah ಅವರು ದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಪ್ರಥಮ ಬಾರಿಗೆ ರಾಜ್ಯಾದ್ಯಂತ ಲಿಂಗತ್ವ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತರ ಮೂಲ ಹಂತದ ಹಾಗೂ ಮಾಜಿ ದೇವದಾಸಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರ ಮರು ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆಗಳ ಪೋಸ್ಟರ್ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಚಾಲನೆ ನೀಡಿದರು‌‌. pic.twitter.com/psR8NKsONU

— Laxmi Hebbalkar (@laxmi_hebbalkar) September 4, 2025

The survey of sexual minorities will be done by transgender persons. It will be a mobile app-based survey that will be held in all government-run taluk and district hospitals. The survey will be monitored by a district-level committee headed by the DCs.

While the survey of gender minorities will be conducted at all taluk government hospitals and district government hospitals across the state, the re-survey of former Devadasi women will be conducted at the offices of the Taluk Child Development Project Officers in the 15 districts, the release said. The officer-level staff of the Devadasi Rehabilitation Project Unit will conduct the survey of former Devadasi women, it said.

To make the process easier, the government has developed two apps, as well as launched a helpline (1800 599 2025).The 15 districts include Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Raichur, Koppal, Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Ballari, and Vijayanagara.

(State Correspondent)