Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jun 13: "Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is fond of beef. He had eaten beef when he went abroad," said said K L Ashok, chief secretary of Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike (KKSV) at 'Movadi Chalo' programme held by Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samitigala Maha Okkuta and the Karnataka Dalit Hindulida Mathu Alpa Sankhyata Sanghatanegala Okkuta condemning the assault of a Koraga community youth for consuming beef on April 25 at Movadi village.
Addressing the gathering on Monday, June 12 he said, "Hindu organisations are exhibiting cowardice. They do not have the courage to assault in public. Do not join Hindu organizations that support such culture. We are becoming scapegoats," he said.
Karnataka Dalit Backward Class and Minority Union honorary president Fr William Martis released a pigeon as a symbol of peace. Hosadu panchayat president Shakuntala and others who were said to be victims of assault were present.
Actions of anti-social elements in Movadi incident are condemnable – Jayan Malpe
"The violence and assault on Koraga community youth is condemnable. However, there are satanic efforts to make Dalits fight each other in this regard. The actions of anti-social elements with cruel intent who are using the Movadi incident to spoil peace in the society and create unnecessary fear cannot be tolerated," said Jayan Malpe, progressive thinker and campaigner of Dalit Sangharsha Samithi.
He was speaking after inaugurating 'Movadi Swabhimaani Samavesha', held under the aegis of Karnataka State Dalit Campaign Committee, Movadi.
"People in Movadi which is known for peace and harmony were living peacefully ignoring differences of religion and caste. Those who do not know the principles of Dr Ambedkar, in order to achieve their personal goals and to market their leadership are using the Movadi incident like a trump card, spreading lies to set fire in Movadi. Poor and innocent people are being made scapegoats. They are spoiling the future of students. Though, there is no direct involvement of Sangh Parivar leaders in the Movadi incident, there is a systematic conspiracy to destroy Dalits using the name of Sangh Parivar," he said.
"We will not allow anyone to spoil the image of Movadi. We will not let the efforts of those who work for political gains in the name of the organisation succeed. The desires of anti-social forces, who for their benefit magnify the incidents that can be solved by discussions, will not be fulfilled. We are prepared to fight against them," he said.
Karnataka State Dalit Sangharsha Samithi Movadi grama branch convenor Sadananda Movadi presided over the programme. Udupi district convenor T Manjunath Giliyar delivered the keynote address. Kundapur advocate Sathish Kalavarkar, Udupi district convenor Vasudev Mudoor, Kundapur Taluk Women's Okkuta convenor Geetha Suresh Kumar, progressive campaigner Dharmaraja Mudaliar, Gopala Kalanje, Prabhakar V, Rama Kundapur, Gopalakrishna Nada, Girish Kumar Gangolli, Mahesh G Gangolli and others were present.
Prabhakar Movadi welcomed the gathering. Kundapur taluk convenor Raju K C Bettinamane gave the introductory address. Sanjiva Hosadu and Sathosh Anagalli compered the programme.
Rally causes traffic jam, ambulance stranded
The police had to struggle hard for about half an hour in the rain to set right the traffic jam while Movadi Chalo vehicle rally approached Kundapur market from the national highway. Fortunately, they made way to an ambulance which was got caught in the traffic jam.