Condemning the recent incidents of atrocities on Dalits in the district, pro-Dalit organizations took out a protest rally in Hassan on Thursday. Hundreds of people marched from Hemavati Statue circle to BM Road, where they held a protest meeting.
Along with the march, the protesters carried blue flags and raised slogans praising BR Ambedkar.
Recently, a Dalit was allegedly attacked by Bajrang Dal workers in Sakleshpur, accusing him of carrying cattle for slaughter. The organizations staged a sit-in demanding action against the Bajrang Dal workers. In another incident in Arkalgud, a Dalit was attacked by ‘upper caste’ people.
The Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, the Madiga Dandora Horata Committee, the Dalit Hakugala Committee and the Left parties had called a protest march condemning the recent incidents.
Addressing a public meeting organized as part of the protest, senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattoo said that there have been attempts to dilute the Constitution by the amendments. The central government introduced reservation for the economically weaker sections, although there was no opposition to its demand. “The Constitution does not recommend reservation on the basis of economic criteria. However, the government brought an amendment to provide benefits to the ‘upper castes’. If Dalits, Other Backward Classes and Minorities remain silent, there will be many more such amendments.”
Referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “80% vs 20%” statement, Mr. Amin Mattoo said the real fight was between Dalits, OBCs and minorities, which is between 90% of the population and 10% of the people, who Were against the Constitution. “The majority of the population should fight against the communal forces by following the call of Ambedkar to educate, organize and agitate,” he said.
M. Somashekar of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti alleged that some police officers were working as Bajrang Dal workers. If they want to work as a party worker, they should quit and join the activities of the party. He also said that the pro-people organizations will continue to fight the communal forces in the district.
DSS leaders KT Sivaprasad, Rajasekhar, HK Sandesh, SN Mallappa, Narayandas, Eerappa, CPM district secretary Dharmesh and others were present.