Dalit protesters demanding internal reservation held

“It is unfortunate that @BJP4Karnataka government, which came to power by promising to implement Justice Sadashiva Aayoga committee recommendations, has arrested the protestors who are demanding the same,”

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Dalit protesters from various organisations were detained and released in the evening on Monday for staging a demonstration demanding the implementation of the AJ Sadashiva Commission report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs).

The report had recommended equitable distribution of reservation among Scheduled Castes, who had staged a sit-in at Freedom Park. The Dalit activists had taken out a padyatra from Harihar town in Davangere district to protest in the city, covering over 280 kilometres in the process. The released activists warned that they had come a long way to voice their demands and that they would continue their stir on Tuesday.

The detentions did not go down well with Congress leaders such as Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Assembly Siddaramaiah and former social welfare minister and Chittapur MLA Priyank Kharge. Siddaramaiah accused the State government of misusing law enforcement officers.

“State @BJP4Karnataka government has arrested the activists who were protesting against the govt demanding the implementation of internal reservation. I condemn this act of the government to silence the protestors. I demand @CMofKarnataka @ BSBommai to immediately release them,” he said.

 “The ruling govt should have either fulfilled the demands or invited the protestors for discussions. Instead of handling it in a democratic way, @BJP4Karnataka government is trying to silence the protestors through police force,” he added.

Cong will implement report: Siddu Siddaramaiah reminded the State government that before coming to power BJP had promised to implement the Sadashiva Commission report, adding that were Congress to come to power, they would implement the same.

“It is unfortunate that @BJP4Karnataka government, which came to power by promising to implement Justice Sadashiva Aayoga committee recommendations, has arrested the protestors who are demanding the same,” he said.

“Once we come back to power, @INCKarnataka will take everyone into confidence and send the recommendation to the Central governemnt to implement Justice Sadashiva Aayog committee report,” he added.