The Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samitigala Maha Okkoota has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to politicise the issue of construction of a Hindu crematorium at Uchila village for political gains.
Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Sundar Master, honorary president of the Okkoota, said that 1.56 acres of land had been granted for the construction of a crematorium during the British rule. But some members of a particular community had objected to it. This matter was then taken to court, which directed the district administration to resolve the matter. The district administration too issued an order giving its nod for the crematorium.
Casteist forces
But some casteist forces had used the issue for political gains and with an intention to spoil harmony among communities. The crematorium had to be used for cremating the bodies of all communities, including Dalits living in colonies in Uchila and Yermal.
“Lalaji Mendon, former Kaup MLA, and Mattar Ratnakar Hegde, president of the district unit of the BJP, want the votes of Dalits, but they object to the construction of the crematorium,” he said.
Untouchability
Mr. Sundar said that Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Pejawar Mutt, who always talked about unity among Hindus, should intervene in this matter and resolve it. The present situation was tantamount to practising untouchability as far as cremating bodies was concerned.
The district administration should take action under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Goonda Act against those opposing the construction of the crematorium, he said.
He said that fencing and other works at the crematorium at Uchila started three days ago under tight police security. Under no circumstance should this work stop.
“We will hold talks with members of the other (Hindu) communities also on this issue,” he said.
In the meantime, Kaup MLA Vinaykumar Sorake was planning to provide about 30 cents of land for a crematorium at Kattingere close to Uchila.
But this land was not suitable for a crematorium and the residents there had already objected to it. Without a crematorium at Uchila, Dalits had to go to the nearby Belapu village for cremation, Mr. Sundar said.
Udaykumar Tallur, Narayan Mannur, S.S. Prasad, Vishwanath Pethri, Shyamraj Birti, Chandra Althur, Shyam Sundar Thekkatte, leaders of the Okkoota, were present.
