Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Jan 9: Members of Karnataka State Dalit Mahasabha held protests in front of B C Road, Mini Vidhana Soudha on Monday, January 8 against calls for review and insult to the Indian Constitution.
Dalit leader Bhanuchandra Krishnapur said, “It is disastrous for the country and democracy. The constitution has been amended earlier, let it be amended a thousand times, but its review is condemnable. Dalits were living in fear earlier. But Muslims and people of other religions have now joined their voices for Dalits. It had given the strength to the Dalit community. Dalits will go for mass conversion, if attacked,” he warned.
SDPI leader Hanif Khan Kodaje said that 3% people against the constitution are ruling the country. He said, “We are unknowingly made slaves. It is dangerous for future generation. Opponents of Tippu Sultan are opposing the constitution created by Dr B R Ambedkar. We are prepared to sacrifice our lives for the constitution.”
CPM chief secretary Ramanna Vitla said that Sangh Parivar which did not participate in freedom movement does not know the history of the country. “It is unfortunate that those who do not know history are going forward to create it. Everybody should oppose it,” he said.
Zilla panchayat member Shekar Kukkedi said that those in high positions are making such statements. “Protection of the constitution is not possible for them. All secular minds should join for its protection,” he said.
Vasanthi Chandappa said that the swamiji who made a statement against the constitution should clarify it. “Are we not Hindus like you? It is better if those who make such statement read the constitution at least once,” he said.
Bhanuchandra Krishnapur said that Pejavar Vishweshwaratheertha Swamiji and union minister Anant Kumar Hegde have made statements against the constitution.
“The agenda of Sangh Parivar and BJP are against Ahinda,” said the protesters.
Zilla panchayat member Shekar Kukkedi, B Padmashekar Jain, taluk panchayat vice-president B M Abbas Ali, Taluk Akrama Sakrama committee president Mayilappa Salian, taluk panchayat member Mallika Shetty, municipal council standing committee president B Vasu Poojary, its members Pravin, Munish Ali, Gangadhar, Vasanthi Chandappa,
Mohammed Iqbal Goodibali, cashew development board member Jagadish Koila, SDPI leaders Shahul Hameed, Isaq Talapady, leaders Raja Pallamajalu, Rajiv Kakkapadavu, Aboobacker Ammunje and others supported the protests.
A rally from Kaikamba Dwara B C Road to Mini Vidhana Soudha was taken earlier.
“The Constitution and Dr Ambedkar are insulted. The thinking of BJP and Sangh Parivar has caused it. The unity of Dalits, backward classes, Muslims and other minorities is essential today,” said Dalit leaders, Congress, SDPI, JDS and BSP party leaders who joined the protest.