‘Political parties dividing Dalits’

DSS convener calls for struggle against acquisition of farm lands by government

‘Political parties dividing Dalits’

Kolar, Dec 24, DH News Service:

The state convener of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti Venkatagiriyayya called upon farmers to wage a struggle against acquisition of agricultural lands by the government.

“These are the times of registering cases against farmers who stage a peaceful dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Hence, a struggle on a larger scale is imperative to redress issues such as acquisition of agricultural lands. The problems of farmers will not be addressed by toned-down protests,” he said at a convention organised to mark the death anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar here on Thursday. Vested interests Congress, BJP and JD(S), which declared construction of “Swabhimana Karnataka”as their sole objective are now working against the purpose. The sole purpose of the principal political parties is to create a rift in Dalit classes. False cases are being registered against Dalits who demand their legitimate rights. Vested interests of the caste system are raising their ugly head once again and attempts are being made to suppress the Dalit classes which stand against exploitation. “None of the political parties is ready to check this sort of oppression. On account of this, several organised struggles have not succeeded in heralding a change,” he observed. The political parties succeeded in fuelling dissidence in Dalit organisation by offering prime posts to leaders. Those in the vanguard of the Dalit movement who raised their voice against exploitation became mute spectators. Reports submitted by several committees on atrocities on Dalit have been neglected by ruling establishments. Farmers neglected While the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has declared a grant of Rs 70 crore to Rashtrottana Parishat which propagates the Manu philosophy, S M Krishna, during his tenure as the chief minister waived off a whopping sum of Rs 300 crore which should have paid by arrack contractors as tax. However, no benefit has accrued to the farmers by these measures. Even as Dalits were becoming aware of the reservation, the governments hesitated to implement reservation in private sector. The services of the people who secured job by furnishing false caste certificates have been regularised. While Constitution provides 18 pc reservation, only 9 pc is made available. “Dalits have been cheated by denying the facility guaranteed under the Constitution,” he alleged. District convener of Dallit Sangharsha Samiti Sulikunte Ramesh, lecturer K Srinivasa and others were present on the occasion.