BANGALORE: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday said it will celebrate architect of the Indian Constitution B R Ambedkar’s Jayanthi as a day to protest against the “injustice” being meted out to the oppressed classes in the State.
Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, General Secretary of the state unit Maruthi Manpade said the Jayanthi will be used to highlight issues like Made Snana, Pankti Bedha in temples, caste inequality, social boycott and accountability which are still prevailing in the State. He said he would also urge the government to release special funds for the uplift the Dalits.
“The Muzrai Department controls over 250-odd temples where social evils like Pankthi Bheda and caste differences are still prevailing. But the department is ‘toothless’ in tackling this. Injustice against Dalits has increased after the BJP came to power in the State.”
He further added, “In Mandya, a Dalit’s nose was severed by an upper caste. This is not a single incident, the CM has a special committee and they have to convene meetings once in three months to address such issues. But, CM D V Sadananda Gowda has not shown his commitment towards Dalits.”
There are 23,787 Devadasis in Karnataka, the government has not done any rehabilitation work. The CPM is demanding the government to increase of wages from Rs 1,000 to Rs 4.500 per month, increase of Rs 1 lakh for shelter from Rs 40,000, distribution of fertile land for cultivation and reservation in private sector, he stated.