Speaking at the valedictory of the three-day State-level study camp of the office-bearers and volunteers of the Karnataka Dalita Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkar vaada), organised at Prof B Krishnappa Vedike in Kadri Ashram School on Sunday, he said “People who called Ambedkar an anti-national are now hailing him as Bharat Ratna. The ‘Bharatamba’ of RSS cannot be our Bharat Mata.”

He accused that today 85 per cent of Hindus including Billavas, Mogaveeras and Shetty have become tools in the hands of Hindutva propagandists. They are trying to convert the country into temples, but the common man does not find any place in their scheme.

Dalits must contemplate on such contemporary issues, he said, reminding the delegates that Ambedkar had laid emphasis on preserving the secular and democratic facet of the country.

He lamented that even in the modern era, when man has landed on the moon, superstitions and religious beliefs still persists. But instead, scientific thinking must be encourages, he advised.

In an organisation, an individual may die, but the ideologies of the organisation remains permanent. This has been proved by Buddha’s ideology, which is relevant even today, he pointed out.

He also accused America of setting up a deathly trap for the third-world countries through nuclear deals and trade.

Remembering Adya Somshekhar, Bol Bandappa, Devaiah and others who had fought for the rights of Dalits, he called upon the community members to follow the principles of equality, independence and fraternity propagated by Ambedkar.

Delegates’ opinion
Delegates from every district expressed their opinion on the camp during the valedictory session. Bangalore town chief convener K Thamaiah said politicians seek votes from Dalits, but do not pay heed to them once they gain power. Hence the gullible people must join the struggle with the Dalits, he added.

Siddappa Kambli from Belgaum district said the differences among the various Dalit groups must be erased and a united front must be presented. Though reservations for Dalits exists, due to globalisation and privatisation, the opportunities are decreasing steadily.

Anand from Dakshina Kannada district, Laxman Dodmani from Dharwad, Kantharaju from Mysore, Naganna Badiger from Gulbarga, Joglekar from Karwar, Anitha from DK district Dalitha Mahila Okkuta, Nirmala and others expressed their opinion.