JOIN USDemanding action against the upper castes who are socially boycotting people belonging to dalit community at Banahalli in the taluk, the villagers staged a protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office in Chamarajanagar on Tuesday.
They alleged that the system of untouchability is still in place in the village and the dalits are not allowed to participate in the Kondotsava and no entry to Sathyavathy temple in the village.
The agitators claimed that no steps has been taken so far against the upper castes who are involved in such practice that has turned into a great problem for the members of dalit community. Moreover, the officials too are hesitating to provide government benefits for these dalits fearing wrath from the upper caste people.
The dalits have begun protest against the accused since several days and memorandum submitted to deputy commissioner, superintendent of police and district social welfare officer, but in vain, they complained.
Atrocities on dalits are on the rise and has created anxiety among the people in the village and demanded deputy commissioner to take suitable action and provide necessary protection for the villagers.
The protesters also warned of intensifying the protest if no action is being taken on the case registered at Santhemarahalli police station. Their other demands included entry into the temple, government benefits to the dalits who are financially weak and others.
Chalavadi Mahasabha district unit president Anagalli Basavaraju, R Ramesh, K R Narayan, Shivaprasad, Deepa and others participated in the protest.