Kannada actor Chetan Kumar, members of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, and leaders of the Golla community took out a ‘Parivartana Yatra’ at Pemmanahalli Gollarahatti in Pavagada taluk of Tumakuru district on Thursday. The aim of the yatra was to sensitise and create awareness among the residents of Gollarahatti after they stopped a Dalit MP from entering the village on Monday.
Addressing the villagers on the premises of the Chitralingeshwara temple here, Mr. Chetan Kumar began his speech by reciting a vachana of the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara. He called upon the villagers to not practise untouchability or follow superstitious beliefs. He appealed to them to treat all as equals irrespective of caste.
Dasanna, former gram panchayat president and resident of Gollarahatti, apologised to the members of the Parivartana Yatra for denying Chitradurga MP A. Narayanaswamy entry into Gollarahatti on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, the police present at the village objected to the yatra alleging that they had not taken permission for it. Following this, heated arguments took place between the members of the yatra and police personnel.
However, the yatra members continued with the programme despite the objection.
District organising convener of DSS, C.K. Thippeswamy, said they had submitted an application to the police seeking permission for the programme.
