Leaders of a number of Dalit organisations have charged Mulbagal MLA G. Manjunath with misuse of power in connection with a ‘false’ caste certificate for his brother G. Venkataramana.
Authorities have refused to give Budga Jangama caste certificate under Byragai community to Mr. Venkataramana. They have cited the arguments and documents presented in the past against Mr. Manjunath’s caste certificate. In spite of this, Mr. Manjunath is coercing Mulbagal tahsildar to issue the certificate, the leaders alleged. They submitted a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner on Saturday with an appeal that no member of Mr. Manjunath’s family be issued Budga Jangama certificate until the case is disposed in the High Court.
They alleged: “The legislator is pressuring the authorities concerned to issue a false caste certificate to his brother even before his (Manjunath’s) issue is settled in court.”
“Some influential sections of society and wealthy people are grabbing the constitutionally guaranteed facilities meant for Scheduled Castes and Tribes by getting false caste certificates,” alleged R. Srinivasan, former president of zilla panchayat, who is one of the signatories.
