Activists, writers, political party members, and representatives of various progressive organisations assembled at Jayapura in Koppa taluk on Thursday to register their protest against the recent attack on Dalits in the name of protecting cows. They termed the recent attack at Shantipura village as part of the country-wide phenomena.
K.L. Ashok, convener of Komu Souharda Vedike, said: “Incidents of attack on Dalits and Muslims in the name of cow have been reported in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka. The assaults on Dalits have continued for ages”.
‘Ignorant of law’
He pointed out that many police officers were unaware of the laws that deal with cow slaughter. “Ignorance of law has also complicated the matter for Dalits,” he said.
Mr. Ashok said that those who attacked the Dalits in Shantipura and the Assam workers in Alduru were followers of Praveen Khandya, a Vishwa Hindu Parishat leader.
B.T. Lalita Naik, former Minister and writer, criticised D.N. Jeevaraj, Sringeri MLA, for supporting Bajrang Dal activists.
The protesters alleged that the police were supporting the Bajrang Dal and other similar groups in the district.
