Protests mark I-Day in Chikkaballapur, Malur

Dalita Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) members protested in silence on Wednesday, demanding houses for and rehabilitation of the homeless, among others.

The protesters, walking down MG Road, BB Road and other major roads in the City, called it disappointing that the nation was celebrating its 66th Independence Day, but millions of Dalits were still in the clutches of the rich.

Melur Manjunath, district convenor of DSS, said the policies of both the Union and State governments were hardly citizen-friendly.

“The governments, which are facing heavy charges of corruption, are unable to work for the benefit of the people. Instead of solving problems, they are only shirking from their duties. The government continues to promise a lot, but has failed to bring in any changes in the condition of the lower classes,” he added.

The Paramashivaiah Report should be implemented to provide permanent irrigation to the district; a Dalit-friendly environment should be created for the benefit of the lower classes; encroachment of land should be cleared, demanded the protesters.

In Malur

Condemning delay in distribution of sites under the Ashraya scheme to poor by the Town Municipal Council, ZP former member G E Ramegowda along with eligible beneficiaries held a daylong hunger strike at Masti Venkatesh Iyengar Rangamandira premises on Wednesday. The protesters urged to expedite the process of distribution of sites.

Ramegowda said, in 2004, the authorities collected Rs 5,000 from a total of 1250 beneficiaries to provide sites under the scheme. But till date, the beneficiaries have not been provided sites, he complained.

All the 23 wards in the council are represented by BJP councillors but they have failed to ensure a home to their electorates. He threatened to intensify the protest at the district and State level, if the council fails to provide sites.

Tahsildar Hanumantharaya met the protesters and promised them to look into the issue, at the earliest. Later, the protest was withdrawn.

A protest was also held by Dalit Simha Sene at the Ambedkar Park near bus stand, condemning failure of administration in the taluk.

Sene taluk unit president Srinivas said farmers in Malur are reeling under severe drought but the government has not declared it as drought-hit.

He blamed the taluk administration for failing to present its case with the government. He also urged the administration to stop mining at Tekal hobli in the taluk and provide basic facilities at the government hospitals.

Residents of Aanamittanahalli, along with school students, held a protest against illegal mining in the village.