A protest march, condemning the untouchability still being followed at Sigaranahalli in Holenarsipur taluk, launched by pro-Dalit organisations on Tuesday, concluded here on Wednesday. The 32-km. march ended at B.R. Ambedkar Statue Circle, coinciding with the 59th anniversary of Ambedkar embracing Buddhism.
Speaking at the valedictory function, pro-Dalit leaders appealed to Dalits to see Ambedkar’s decision to accept Buddhism as the path towards liberation. They also came down heavily on elected representatives and the district administration for allegedly failing to stop atrocities on Dalits in the district.
S.N. Mallappa, State organising secretary of Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS), in his address, said Sigaranahalli was only two km. away from Haradanahalli, the native place of the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. “What moral right has he to preach secularism, when he is himself is not responding to the untouchability being followed in a place very close to his native place?” he said.
Earlier, Dalits were not allowed to enter a temple and a community hall at Sigaranahalli.
The ‘upper caste’ people refused to attend a peace meeting convened by the district administration. “Dalits are being socially boycotted in the village. The district administration should provide all necessary facilities to the Dalits,” he said.
Buddha is the way
K.T. Shivaprasad, leader of DSS, said Ambedkar had accepted Buddhism as he was determined not to die as a Hindu.
“The reason for his decision was that there was no equality and freedom in Hindu religion. It discriminates a major section of people against entering temples, and other opportunities. A small set of people decide what others should eat and not eat. The only way out of this discrimination is to accept Buddhism,” he said. Condemning the Dadri killing in Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Shivaprasad said, “I eat beef and other meat. Nobody has the right to question my food habits.”
Senior DSS leader N. Venkatesh called upon the protesters to stage dharnas in front of the houses of Mr. Deve Gowda and Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa at Bengaluru against ill-treatment of Dalits in Hassan.
“Seeking entry into temples should be symbolic. The Dalits should understand that denial of entry into a temple is part of a system professed by the religion. They should come out of the temple and find the way with Ambedkar, who accepted Buddhism,” he said.
DSS leaders Narayana Das, H.K. Sandesh, Kuppe Umesh and Samata Sainik Dal leader Satish led the two-day march. Hundreds of men and women from different parts of Hassan district and leaders of pro-Dalit organisations from other districts, including Bengaluru and Ballari, took part in the march.
Reason for Ambedkar to accept Buddhism was that there was no equality and freedom in Hindu religion.
K.T. Shivaprasad,
DSS leader
