Condemning the act of the Sangh Pariwar of forcing State Backward Classes Commission Chairman Dr C S Dwarakanath to drink ‘teertha’ in a recent incident, various progressive organisations staged a protest here on Monday.

Activists from across the state belonging to State Backward Castes Union, Kodagu District Progressive Thinkers Forum, Ahinda, KFD, Republican Party of India, Samatha Sainik Dal, Akhila Karnataka Hevala Samaja, Ambedkar Yuva Sene and others took part in the protest dharna.

Addressing the protesters, Basavaraja Devaru of Revana Siddeshwara Mutt in Dharwad said the behaviour of communals in the State had crossed a limit, and unless a lesson was taught to them, harmony would be spoiled in the society.

Mr Basavaraja Devaru expressed his dissatisfaction over the inactivity of the Police department as they did not take any actions against those who forced Dr Dwarakanath to drink ‘sacred water’.

Former Member of Legislative Assembly A K Subbaiah questioned who entitled Hindutvavadis the power of making the chairman of the commission to consume ‘teertha’ forcibly.

‘Teerthodbhava a lie’

Mr A K Subbaiah said the concept of teerthodbhava in Talacauvery is a lie.

“The traditionalists have been propagating lies from long back. In Shabarimala too, people burn camphor and make gullible devotees to believe that it is makara jyothi,” Mr Subbaiah  criticised.

Stating that Hindutva is a disease in Hinduism itself, Mr Subbaiah said there is a need for a big movement against communals in Karnataka.

Samatha Sainik Dal State President M Venkataswamy, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President T P Ramesh, Dalit leader Jayappa Hanagal, litterateur from Mandya H L Keshavamurthy, Karnataka Forum for Development leader Majeed, advocate Vidyadhar, Allaranda Vittal Nanjappa of Progressive Thinkers Forum among others spoke.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner later urging him to take actions against the accused.