JOIN USHundreds of people are expected to take part in ‘Chalo Tumakuru - Manavata Samavesha’ in Tumakuru today to oppose atrocities against dalits throughout the state.
Activist Raghuveer Sooterpet told reporters in Mangaluru on Wednesday that recent episodes of atrocities against dalits had forced people to resort to hold a Samavesha.
Atrocity instances
He quoted recent instances of a Dalit youth at Gubbi in Tumakuru being stripped and beaten up for speaking to a girl belonging to an upper caste. In another case, he said a 15-year-old dalit boy was beaten to death for eating prasadam in a temple in Jamakhandi. In Gudibande, a ninth standard student was thrashed for speaking to a girl from another caste, he said and added that the boy’s body was later found hanging.
He said that in spite of many similar incidents in the state, government was not taking any serious action against the accused. “By organising a protest in Tumakuru, atrocities on dalits will be opposed. A protest rally will be held from Bhimasandra to Town Hall. Thinkers, dalit leaders and social activists will take part,” he said and added that many protesters are expected to take part in the protest.
‘Severe action needed’
Dalit leader Nirmal Kumar said that the district administration should take severe action against those who have been obtaining fake caste certificates and misusing them.
Activists Ramesh Kotian, Ashok Konchadi and Deepak were present at the press meet.