The former minister and Congress MLA Satish Jarkiholi, called upon Dalits to liberate themselves from mental slavery under the upper castes. He was speaking after inaugurating the Dalit and Janapara Sammelana, organised by Nagabhumi Vividhoddesha Abhivruddhi Samsthe and Ambedkar Sene here on Sunday.
“Dalits have managed to come out of physical slavery. However, they are still mentally under the control of upper castes. When it comes to matters relate to religion, rituals, temples, and the like, Dalits often adhere to what upper caste people say as they consider them to be mediators between them and gods. Unless Dalits liberate themselves from this bondage, they will keep finding it difficult to better their living conditions,” he said.
Lack of recognition
He said that B.R. Ambedkar, despite his contributions to various fields, did not get the due recognition in this country. He was responsible for setting up many irrigation projects, besides setting up the Reserve Bank of India and many such institutions. “However, only because he was from a low caste, his work did not receive recognition,” he said.
Senior Dalit activist B.P. Jayaram, president of the Sammelana, called upon the Dalits to accept Buddhism to put an end to caste-based discrimination in Hinduism. “For ages, Dalits have been exploited. They have been discriminated against. Ambedkar accepted Buddhism as he did not wish to die a Hindu. I wish all Dalits would convert to Buddhism,” he said.
Hassan Zilla Panchayat president Shwetha Devaraj, Ambedkar Sene president Kodandarama, working president Nagaraj Hettur and others were present.
