Dalit headmistress accuses upper-caste teachers of harassment

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)
May 26, 2013

Mangalore, May 26: A case of a Dalit headmistress in a government school in Bantwal taluk being subjected to harassment by subordinate teachers belonging to a upper caste came to light at the monthly SC/ST grievance meet held at the Police Commissioner's office in Mangalore on Sunday.

Kamalakshi, headmistress of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School in Panelabarike at Pajeer village, levelled allegations of caste-based discrimination, maltreatment and harassment on Ramakrishna G and his wife Rashmi, who were both teachers in the same school.

Resident of Sajipa in Bantwal taluk, Kamalakshi told City Police Commissioner Manish Kharbikar that she had filed a complaint against Ramakrishna at Konaje police station in the month of February, along with the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) president, who was witness to the discrimination and harassment.

“However, having failed to cite names of witnesses in the FIR, the police have filed a B report on her. This is wrong, and should not have been done,” a Dalit representative told the Commissioner who assured to look into the matter.

Speaking to reporters, she said that she had been facing discrimination and mental harassment from July last year. “I have been the headmistress of the school for six years. The teachers Ramakrishna and Rashmi joined the school as assistant teachers in 2011,” she said, adding that Rashmi spoke and treated her in a demeaning manner, and also bullied her into resigning as the headmistress.

“I have also filed a complaint against her with the Block Education Officer,” she said.

Illegal sand mining

Representative Srinivas Shetty said that a Dalit member of Kuppepadavu gram panchayat Hariyappa Muthoor was abused using foul language and threatened by president of the gram panchayat Chandrahas Shetty last week, for his role in protesting against rampant illegal sand mining in the region.

“The struggle against illegal sand mining was even recorded and telecast on a Kannada news channel. Following the telecast, Chandrahas Shetty along with Dinesh Moolya, barged into his house late at night, and used foul language against Hariyappa and his mother. He even threatened to kill Hariyappa on the occasion. A complaint was filed at Bajpe police station along with details of the accused and his vehicle including registration no. However, the police did not take action against the accused, inspite of all details. Moreover, information was received that the accused was taken halfway to the police station and then let go,” he said, accusing the police personnel of not doing their duty.

He urged the Police Commissioner to take strict legal action against the accused. In reply, the Commissioner told him to clarify all aspects with the police officers at the station and assured him of a detailed probe into the issue.

'Increasing B reports filed on Dalit cases'

Dalit leader S P Anand pointed out to the Commissioner that several B reports were being filed on complaints registered by Dalits, mainly in Kavoor, Bajpe and Panambur police stations, and urged action.

The Commissioner clarified that only after scrutiny and notice to the complainant, were B reports filed, and assured him that the case would be subjected to re-investigation.

D Dharmaiah, DCP (Crime and Traffic) and M Muthuraya, DCP (Law and Order) were present.

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News Network
March 16,2024

Mangaluru: In the wake of complaints regarding middlemen menace, sleuths of Lokayukta on Friday, March 15, conducted a raid at the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority. 

The Lokayukta team found unaccounted money and several files, which were not disposed of for a long period.

Lokayukta SP CA Simon said that the Lokayukta has received complaints that middlemen have been interfering in the MUDA office, and files pertaining to the public are not being cleared on time.

A raid that commenced in the evening on March 13, lasted for 18 hours. During the raid, Lokayukta officials found cash in a bag in MUDA office, and also with officials and others. MUDA officials could not inform the source of money found in their office, the SP said.

Further, he said that many people gathered at the MUDA office during the Lokayukta raid, and have raised complaints about the harassment at the urban development authority. “We have gathered evidence for MUDA officials carrying out file disposal processes through brokers on phone calls. The investigation on the MUDA network will be continued,” he said.

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News Network
March 10,2024

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Bengaluru, Mar 10: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday took a dig at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleging that he was behaving like the Roman emperor Nero at a time when the people of the state are suffering from drought.

Siddaramaiah government seems to be making a mockery of the drought situation in the state and the sufferings of the people, the former Chief Minister said, as he accused it of being immersed in "campaign fairs" by holding conventions using taxpayers money.

"There is a drought, unheard of in the history of the state. Water scarcity has worsened. People and cattle are suffering to get water. Despite this situation, the Congress government is spending crores of rupees of taxpayers money into guarantee conventions. Shame," Kumaraswamy said in a statement.

"Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Siddaramaiah you are our Nero. Zero for the state. You are not worried about the people, you are only worried about the election," he said, adding that the people of the state would ensure that this "election worry" becomes detrimental to the Congress party and its government.

The ruling Congress, banking on its implementation of five 'guarantee' schemes to garner votes in the Lok Sabha polls in the state, is holding a series of 'Guarantee Samaveshas (conventions)'. One such meeting is being held in Mandya on Sunday.

Alleging that the government does not have Rs 2,000 to give to each drought-affected farmer, but there is enough money to hold guarantee conventions, the state JD(S) chief asked, "What kind of Siddanomics (term earlier coined to describe Siddaramaiah's approach towards the state finances) is this, Mr Siddaramaiah?"

Questioning the many "thousands of crores" that have allegedly been spent on these guarantee conventions and advertising in almost a year, he urged the government to be accountable to the people.

"If necessary, issue a White Paper on the amount spent for propaganda on guarantee schemes and conventions," he said, as he insisted that people should know the truth.

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News Network
March 14,2024

busowner.jpg

Udupi: In a freak mishap, a 65-year-old man lost his life after being hit by his own bus which was being repaired at a garage at Athrady in Udupi district on Wednesday, March 13.

The deceased has been identified as Dayanand Shetty, the owner of a private bus.

It is learnt that the bus had been kept for repairs at the garage and Dayanand had gone there to inspect the repair works.

At this time, the mechanic started the engine and the bus moved ahead. Dayanand, who was standing in front of the bus, came under its wheels.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital where he died without responding to the treatment. A case is registered at jurisdictional Manipal police station.

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