Bengaluru: More than 150 heads of various maths from of Karnataka, along with writers, intellectuals and social activists, staged a demonstration at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, supporting the Anti-Superstition Bill and demanding an end to social discrimination.

The protest led by Pragathipara Matadeeshara Vedike will go on till Wednesday.

Shivanubhava Mahaswami of Beli Math, Bengaluru, said: “In the form of Made Snana, people of the lower castes are being harassed. Supporting superstition in the name of religion is wrong. Such practices should be banned.”

Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swami, the head of Nidumamidi Math, Kolar, said: “Even after the courts showing displeasure over Made Snana, people are promoting this practice. It is wrong to believe that people will become clean from all sins by practising it. The government should have introduced the law against superstition last year itself.”

The other demands of the seers include banning discriminatory practices such as Made Snana, Pankti Bheda and customs observed in some communities against women.

Activists of the Karnataka Jnana Vijnana Samiti, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Samatavada) and Pourakarmika unions gathered at Freedom Park to express their support.

Eminent persons who lent their support included K Marulasiddappa, K Allama Prabhu Bettadur, C S Dwarakanath and N. Prabha.

Volunteers of the Dalit Sangharsha Samithi joined the protest after taking out a procession.