Dalit organisation says he disgraced the community; Patil Puttappa had criticised the ‘Dalit CM’ campaign
Alleging that veteran journalist Patil Puttappa had made objectionable comments against Dalit community while criticising the efforts by Dalit organisations for ‘Dalit CM’, a Dalit organisation from Hubballi has filed an atrocity case against him.
Following the complaint, The Hubballi Suburban Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Patil Puttappa on Tuesday under Section 3(1)(x) of SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1981.
Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, President of Samata Sena Gurunath Ullikashi referred to the reports in two Kannada dailies which carried the statement of Mr. Puttappa, as disgrace to the Dalit community.
Office bearers of various Dalit organisations including Krishna Jakkappanavar, Ellappa Bagalkoti, Devendrappa Itagi, Premanath Chikkatumbal said that while they respected Mr. Puttappa for his contribution to the field of journalism, they were shocked by his statement.
They said that they have already filed complaints at various police stations in Hubballi and would demand for immediate arrest of the veteran journalist for what they termed as ‘condemnable’ remarks.
‘Selection as per constitution’
When contacted, Patil Puttappa told The Hindu , that in his statement, he had only pointed out that a Chief Minister had to be chosen as per the constitution. “You can’t choose a chief ministerial candidate standing in a market place. There is no point in non-Congress members raising the issue”, he said.
In the FIR filed against him by the Dalit organisation, Mr. Puttappa said “Let them first read my statement properly”.
He said that infact he had raised objections to the ‘touchables’ taking away the opportunities meant for the untouchables through his statements on several previous occasions. In the current legislative assembly only four candidates from ‘untouchable’ community had been given representation out of the total 30 seats meant for the ‘untouchables’. The rest belonged to the ‘touchable’ communities. The Dalit organisations should fight for their rights, Mr. Puttappa said.
