Atrocities against Dalits a matter of deep concern: Bahutva K’taka

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru:

A series of incidents attacking the rights of the Dalits have been witnessed in Karnataka over the past several months. In a recent case, a Dalit youth trying to enter a temple near Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru, was allegedly asked to leave by the priest.

However, the matter has been reportedly resolved after the video of the incident went viral and the authorities critisised by the community and humanitarian activists. “It is a matter of deep concern that such cases have been on the rise in the state,” said Bahutva Karnataka, a forum for justice for the oppressed.

In yet another case, as many as 16 Dalits were locked up and tortured while a pregnant woman lost her child at a coffee plantation of a BJP supporter in Chikkamagaluru district recently. Last month a Dalit family was fined Rs 25000 after a three-yearold child entered the temple in Kushtagi taluk of Koppal district.

A family of a 15-year old Dalit boy was fined Rs 60,000 by the village panchayat members after the boy touched a holy pole during the procession on September 8. According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports, Karnataka registered over 1673 cases of crimes and atrocities against scheduled castes.

However, ironically, as the state is prepping for the upcoming elections, more crimes and discrimination against Dalits are being witnessed. “We all want a society of harmony and peace which can exist only when constitutional promises of justice, equality and dignity of the individual are met,” the Bahutva Karnataka said.

Organisations such as Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS), Dalit Help Society, Dalit Sangha, Bahutva Karnataka and other local outfits are attempting to unite people and protest against Dalit atrocities. Recently a memorandum was submitted by the Bahutva Karnataka to the Director General of Police and to the Secretary, Social Welfare Department, against the rising oppressions across the state. However, they allege that no action has been taken so far.

Meanwhile, more than 1000 Dalits in Yadgir embraced Buddhism on Dharma Chakra Parivartana Divas on October 14, 2022.

Recent cases of Dalit oppression

An upper-caste Hindu landlord and a private education trust allegedly encroached upon a Dalit farmer’s two acres of land and fenced it in Anekal in August.  

A massive protest had broke out in Hassan after Hindutva vigilantes attacked a Dalit person accusing him of cow slaughter, on August 24.

 A Muslim man and a Dalit girl intending to marry each other were attacked by Hindu activists in Chikkamagaluru on September 16.  

A Dalit family was denied permission to bury the body of an elder member of their family, who died of natural causes.  

A Dalit resident of Gottaluru was thrashed by a group of caste Hindus for having performed puja at Gangamma temple in Doddaballapura on Oct 9.