The participants are expected to demand the removal of Principal District and Sessions Judge Mallikarjuna Gowda from service and strict legal action against him.
Dalit and progressive organizations have planned a massive rally in Kalaburagi on January 31 to condemn the removal of Dr BR Ambedkar’s portrait from the stage during the 73rd Republic Day celebrations in the district court premises at Raichur and demanded legal action. Is. Principal District and Sessions Judge Mallikarjuna Gowda, who had allegedly removed the picture before unfurling the national flag.
Addressing a media conference in Kalaburagi on January 29, a senior Dalit leader, Vittal Doddamani, said that the protest march would start from the Nagareshwar School in Gunj and end at the district administrative complex.
He said that the removal of Mr. Gowda from service and strict legal action would be the major demands against him.
“Removing the portrait of Dr BR Ambedkar before unfurling the national flag is an insult not only to the architect of the Indian Constitution but to the entire country. The Principal District and Sessions Judge, who removed the picture before unfurling the national flag, is responsible for this grave misconduct. He should be immediately removed from service and legal action should be taken against him… On the same day, Kalaburagi district administration ordered Dr. B.R. Republic Day was celebrated without putting up pictures of Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. The district in-charge minister Murugesh Nirani, who hoisted the national flag, kept evasive when asked about this. He should be immediately removed from the council of ministers,” Mr Doddamani said.
Senior advocate Malleshi Sajjan appealed to the Chief Justice of Karnataka to allow the trial of the Raichur judge who, he said, tarnished the judicial sanctity.
“The prior permission of the High Court is required to prosecute the judicial officer, and the process of obtaining the same is on. The judges of Raichur not only failed to discharge their duties as a responsible judicial officer but also tarnished the image and sanctity of the judiciary by insulting the architect of the Indian Constitution. If no action is taken against the mistake of judicial officers, the people of the country may lose faith in the judiciary,” Mr. Sajjan said.
Dalit leader Arjun Bhadre said that the removal of Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait during Republic Day celebrations was done by right-wing forces. It was part of a well thought out plan to make Ambedkar and his ideas irrelevant.
“Right Wing Forces Led by RSS” [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] Gaining an upper hand, and controlling politics in India. The BJP governments in the state and at the center are following the orders of the RSS headquarters.
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