The Andhra Pradesh Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedicated) Act, 1988

Short title, extent and commencement.

1. (1) This Act may be called the Andhra Pradesh Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedication) Act, 1988.
2. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Andhra Pradesh.
3. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette, appoint.

Definitions. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

1. (a) "dedication" means the performance of any act or ceremony by whatever name called, by which a woman is dedicated to the service of a Hindu diety, Idol, object of worship, temple or other religious institution or place of worship and includes tying "thali" with "jeela-karra" to a woman or tying a woman by a garland to a Garuda Kambham, dhaarana and deeksha;
2. (b) "Devadasi" means any woman so dedicated by whatever name called and includes Basavi, Jogini, Parvathi, Mathamma and Thyamma;
3. (c) "Government" means the State Government;
4. (d) "notification" means a notification published in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette and the word "notified" shall be construed accordingly.
5. (e) "Woman" means female of any age.

1. (1) The dedication of a woman as Devadasi, whether before or after the commencement of this Act and whether she has consented to such dedication or not, is hereby declared unlawful and void; and any woman so dedicated shall not thereby be deemed to have become incapable of entering into a valid marriage.
2. (2) Any custom or usage, prevailing in any community such as the Bogam, Kalavanthula, Sani, Nagavasulu, Devadasi, Kurmapulu, Basavi, Jogini and Parvathi and the like, that a woman of that community who gives or takes part in any melam (nautch), dancing or music performance in the coda of any procession or otherwise is hereby regarded as having adopted a life of prostitution and become incapable of entering into a valid marriage, and the performance of any ceremony or act in accordance with any such custom or usage, whether before or after the commencement of this Act and whether the woman concerned has consented to such performance or not, are hereby declared unlawful and void.

No marriage contracted by a woman in accordance with any law, custom or usage shall be invalid and no child of such marriage shall be considered as illegitimate by reason only of such woman being a 'Devadasi'.

Provided that where the person referred to in this section is a parent or guardian or relative of a woman so dedicated, he shall on conviction be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years but which shall not be less than two years and with fine which may extend to rupees five thousand but which shall not be less than rupees two thousand.

Any person who performs, promotes, takes part in or abets the performance of any ceremony or act for dedicating a woman as Devadasi or any ceremony or act connected therewith shall on conviction be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years but which shall not be less than two years and with fine which may extend to rupees three thousand but which shall not be less than rupees two thousand;