Criticising the Maharashtra government for implicating Dalit intellectual, writer, and activist Anand Teltumbde in “false cases”, Forum for Secular Democracy, a platform of progressive individuals, activists, and organisations, has demanded President Ram Nath Kovind to intervene in the issue for ensuring the withdrawal of all cases against the Dalit leader.
R.K. Hudgi, convener of the forum, told presspersons here on Sunday that implication of “false cases” against Mr. Teltumbde was part of a larger game plan designed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party for silencing dissent by force. He also said it was an attempt to suppress a leading Dalit voice in the country.
“Mr. Teltumbde, a relative of B.R. Ambedkar, has been raising his voice in favour of the oppressed communities. He has been critical of successive ruling establishments. His scholarly works have attained global recognition. In order to suppress his voice, the Maharashtra police have implicated him in false cases. It is an attempt to suppress a leading Dalit voice in the country. It is an attack on the Indian Constitution that guarantees democratic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of protest against exploitation, and even freedom of dissension. We appeal to the President to immediately intervene in the issue and ensure that the cases against Mr. Teltumbde are unconditionally withdrawn,” Mr. Hudgi said.
ADVERTISEMENT
On attacks on minorities, Dalits, backward communities, as well as intellectuals allegedly by right wing activists, Mr. Hudgi said the Constitution itself was under serious threat under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Vittal Doddamani, Maruthi Gokhale, K. Neela, Allama Prabhu Patil, Kashinath Ambalage, Basanna Singe, Mariyappa Hallimani, Shoukat Ali Alur, Dattatreya Ikkalaki, K. Prakash, and C.B. Patil were present.