C.T. Kotabagi, veteran Dalit leader, has alleged that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is supporting right-wing elements which are making irresponsible statements and creating communal tension in the country.
He told presspersons here on Monday that after the NDA came to power, right-wing forces had been creating a fear psychosis among the people, mainly minorities and Dalits.
“Dadri-like incidents are being increasingly reported where innocent people belonging to the minorities are being targeted in the name of cow protection and Dalits are being killed. Free thinkers have been either killed or are receiving threat calls. This is turning out to be a perilous situation for the secular fabric of the country,” Mr. Kotabagi said.
On right-wing elements demanding a ban on beef, he said that some people were trying to impose their food habits on common people in the name of protecting Hindu culture.
“Who are they to decide what people should eat and what they should wear? If this dangerous trend continues, some day they may dictate you how to sleep too,” Mr. Kotabagi said.
Taking exception to the statement of Union Minister of State for External Affairs General V. K. Singh (retired) who tried to liken dogs with Dalits, Mr. Kotabagi said that he should be sacked from the government for the statement and should be prosecuted.
To a question, Mr. Kotabagi said that Dalit associations were contemplating filing a complaint against General Singh in Vijayapura. He said that progressive organisations were taking out a protest rally on October 29 in Vijayapura city to protest against the killing of writer M.M. Kalburgi and the increasing attacks on Muslims and Dalits.
Mr. Kotabagi demanded that the Congress government bring in an anti-superstition law in the State. He said that Dalit organisations were supporting the the law to curb superstitious practices. The former Mayor Sajjadepeeran Mushrif and Dalit leaders Subhash Gudimani and B. Y. Bellubbi were present.
