Attacks on Dalits: Motamma criticises Modi's 'double standards'

Congress organises rally, protest outside DC's office in Mangaluru

MLC Motamma on Monday questioned the ‘double standards’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who kept mum during a series of attacks on dalits and others in the garb of cow vigilantes were reported in the country.

She was addressing Congress party workers in front of the deputy commissioner’s office, at the end of a rally organised in protest against atrocities on Dalits.

Although Motamma complimented Modi for his recent outbursts over the burning issue, she also asked why the latter did not utter a word when the workers of the Sangh Parivar, Vishwa Hindu Parishat and Bajrang Dal indulged in series of attacks. “Modi remained silent even when the vice-president of BJP Uttar Pradesh unit Dayashankar made derogatory comments on former chief minister of the same State Mayawati, also a Dalit,” criticised Motamma.

Referring to the recent incident at Shantipura in Chikkamagaluru district, where a youth was roughed up for bringing beef, that led to disfiguring of his hands and legs, Motamma called the attackers inhuman. Going a step ahead, she also described the right wing activists as ‘man-eaters’, who are under the illusion that they are the only protectors of cows.

Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo called on the party workers to instil confidence in the minds of Dalits, by visiting their colonies. The Dalits are a traumatised lot now, living under constant fear, he added.

Earlier a rally was taken out from Town Hall to the deputy commissioners office. Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza, Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal – who is also the acting president of Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee – and others were present.