JOIN US'Accord lower strata their due'
He was speaking at the conference on ‘Problems and challenges faced by the lower strata of society’ organised jointly by Justice K Bheemaiah Trust and Samatha Foundation at Rani Bahadur Auditorium here on Sunday.
Ramachandrappa pointed out throughout the centuries, it was always the lower strata that was essential for any transformation in the society.
Citing an example, he said for an industry to survive, profit is a necessary . However, due to the prevalence of casteism, their value has always been underestimated, leading to a ‘sense of alienation’ haunting them, he added.
He opined that three classes - working class, astute class and the powerful class - exist in the society. While, the astute and powerful join hands to reap the maximum benefits, it is the working class that are more than often discriminated upon.
Ramachandrappa said that the challenge still remains to ensure that people from the working class are propelled into the corridors of power.
He said that while the country tries to emulate the Gujarat model of development, it is failing to understand that nearly six lakh cases of human rights violations are piling up in that State. Also job opportunities to dalits have reduced over time in Gujarat as emphasis is being given to privatisation, he added.
He said that the Gujarat Government is only empowering the rich, while the poor are not even being considered in the policies. According to a social development survey conducted in 18 States, Gujarat stands in the 17th place. It shows the lack of concern on part of the Government to provide equality to the lower classes, he opined.
Expressing anguish at the treatment being meted out the the lower classes, Ramachandrappa said that while the 20th century was known for the self-confidence, the 21st century is turning into an era of helplessness.
Ramachandrappa bemoaned that the feudal and capitalistic attitudes are influencing the political leaders threatening the existence of the lower classes.
University of Mysore Vice Chancellor Prof V G Talawar, Registrar P S Naik, Managing Trustee, Justice K Bheemaiah Trust, B Radha, Managing Trustee, Samatha Foundation, Anandakumar and others were present.
Felicitation
‘Bayalaata’ artist Nadoja Kappugallu Padmamma and ‘Tamate’ artist Nadoja P Munivenkatappa were felicitated by the organisors on the occasion.