Remarks on Muniyappa draw criticism

Congress leaders have come down heavily on the remarks made by former president of the Backwardclass Permanent Commission C S Dwarkanath, against Union minister K H Muniyappa.

Dwarkanath had reportedly accused Muniyappa of conspiring with the authorities for non-issuance of SC/ST certificate to the community members of Budga Jangama though he himself belonged to the same caste, at a convention of the Budga Jangamas held recently. He had also ridiculed Kotiganahalli Ramaiah.

At a press conference on Thursday, Ashwathnarayana, Belaganahalli Munivenkatappa, Busanahalli Anjinappa, K Jayadev and Kumar criticised Dwarkanath and said that the Budga Jangama community was not present in Kolar. A report in this regard was also submitted by a previous deputy commissioner, they added.

However, there are members belonging to Biragi community who are claiming themselves as Budga Jangama and are conspiring to obtain SC/ST caste certificate, they said and added that Dwarkanath had colluded with the members.

The leaders said that Dwarkanath, who is an advocate by profession, had made reckless remarks with understanding the Constitution. Dwarkanath should publicly apologise to Muniyappa and Ramaiah, they added. Legal action will be initiated against Dwarkanath, for conspiring with Biragis to corner the benefits extended to Budga Jangamas.

They also submitted a memorandum to tahsildar not to issue Budga Jangama caste certificates to Biragis as they belong to OBC. If SC/ST caste certificate is issued to Biragis the reservation will be misused and communities in the scheduled categories will suffer, they added.