‘Atrocities against dalits haven’t stopped’

Mysore, April 5, DHNS Expressing disappointment at group clashes that occurred at Alagudu in T Narsipur Taluk recently, MLA V Srinivasa Prasad bemoaned that atrocities against Dalits hadn’t stopped as yet. He was speaking at the 104th birth anniversary celebrations of Babu Jagjivanram organised jointly by the Babu Jagjivanram Research and Extension Centre and Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe Special Unit at the EMMRC auditorium, here on Tuesday. Questioning the crime committed by dalits at Alagudu, Prasad bewailed that dalits were treated in the most inhuman manner. He said that even though we are in the 21st century, dalits are still ill-treated. He said that Babu Jagjivanram had immense concern about marginalised sections of the society. Commending the late leader for his administrative skills, Prasad said that Jagjivanram had performed exceedingly well in his duties during his tenure at various ministries. Prasad said: “It is very important for the University of Mysore to translate the work of Babu Jagjivanram into Kannada.” He commended the  Babu Jagjivanram Research and Extension Centre for bringing out a book on the challenges faced by the caste system in the country. Addressing the audience, litterateur Prof De Javaregowda said that all mutts in the State are keeping the caste system alive for their personal interests. He said that even now the country is facing problems such as casteism and untouchability. Mentioning that the oppressed classes should be given education, he warned the audience against falling into the trap of a few seers who visited Dalit localities, but avoided eating at the houses of people belonging to the caste classified as ‘lower’ according to them. Prasad released the book ‘Challenges of the caste system in India’, written by Prof T Y Bhoothaiaya and Prof Gowramma. Prasaranga Director Prof C Naganna, former vice chancellor Prof O Anantharamaiah, former MLA C Ramesh, Vice Chancellor Prof V G Talawar, Registrar (Evaluation) B Ramu and centre Director Prof Myla Halli Revanna and others were present.