Over three thousand dalits, mostly youth, led by Dalit Sanghatanegala Samanvaya Samithi, a platform of different dalit groups, took out a procession in Kalaburagi on Tuesday demanding resignation of Minister of State for Medical Education and Kalaburagi in-charge Sharan Prakash Patil. The agitating leaders accused the minister of failing to prevent attacks on dalits in the district.
Holding blue flags, Ambedkar portraits and banners and raising slogans against the minister, the agitators set off from MSK Mill’s ground by 1 p.m. and marched through Central Bus Stand and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Chowk to Jagat Circle. The traffic movement was disturbed in city’s arterial roads for over one hour.
Addressing the agitators at the Jagat Circle, the leaders verbally attacked State government for its “failure” to address dalit issues.
“Congress rose to power because of the dalits massively supported it for the mandate on social justice. Sadly, it did little for the dalits after coming to power. Attacks on dalits and insult to the dalit community through various means continued as usual,” a leader said.
Arjun Bhadre, another leader blamed Mr. Patil for his anti-dalit approach in dealing with the cases involving attacks on dalits by upper caste men.
“Many people suspected Jevargi MLA Ajay Singh’s involvement in the murder of a dalit youth in Jevargi. We had demanded probe by COD. We had approached Mr. Patil demanding the same. But, he took the accused’s side,” Mr. Bhadre alleged. He added that over 60 dalits have been killed in Kalaburagi district in the last 10 years and no one has been convicted in the any of the cases.
Vittal Doddamani, another leader, warned that the agitation would be intensified if government ignored their demands.
Latter, a memorandum addressed to chief minister was submitted to the office of Inspector General of Police, North Eastern Range, Kalaburagi.
