Move to grant ST status to Kurubas, Halumata in H-K dists condemned

Valmiki Vedike warns of statewide protest if Siddaramaiah goes ahead

Members of Valmiki Jagruti Vedike held a dharna in front of tahsildar's office here on Monday, condemning Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's instruction to tahsildars and deputy commissioners of Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Raichur districts to issue ST caste certificate given to Gondas and Rajagondas to Kurubas and Halumata communities. Condemning the move to issue ST certificate to Kurubas and Halumata communities, the agitators submitted a memorandum to the tahsildar.

“Gonda community is found only in Bidar district. The deputy commissioner has submitted a report to the state in this regard.  But Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to further his interests, has ordered the deputy commissioners of the aforementioned districts to issue ST certificate, being given to Gondas, to the Kurubas too. This is illegal and will cause injustice to the original ST communities,” the agitators complained.

Siddaramaiah had made a controversial statements during his speech addressing the gathering at Halumata cultural festival at Jewargi in Yadgir district, recently. “If he has concerns for his community, let him give separate reservation. He has no right to deprive others their rights,” they alleged. The agitators demanded Siddaramaiah to withdraw his statement and instrucions given to tahsildars and deputy commissioners failing which they would stage a statewide protest.

Valmiki Jagruti Vedike office-bearers Palyagar Lokesh, Chandrashekar, Srinivas, Narayanappa, Kavalagere Ramanjinappa, Byadaganur Shiva, Diwakar, Mallikarjun, Mohan Kumar, Omkarnayak and others took part in the protest.