Media ignoring rising intolerance against minorities in India: Rajashekhar

coastaldigest.com web desk

December 26, 2018

Udupi, Dec 26: Expressing concern over the rising intolerance against minority communities and atrocities against Dalits, writer G. Rajashekhar said that such serious issues are not getting the attention they deserved.

He was speaking at a meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of Kilvenmani massacre, organised by the district units of Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike and Dalit Damanitara Swabhimani Horata Samiti near the War Memorial here.

Mr. Rajashekhar said that the Dalits were working as farm labour in the land of landlords in Kilvenmani village in Tamil Nadu for a paltry daily wage. But later, under the influence of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Dalits organised themselves and started to demand wages in accordance with the work done. This incensed the landlords. As many as 42 Dalits were murdered by a gang allegedly led by landlords in this village on December 25, 1968. This incident was known as the Kilvenmani massacre, he said.

Mr. Rajashekhar said that there was an increase in authoritarian tendencies in the country. As many as five social activists were recently arrested in different parts of the country on questionable charges. The Ishrat Jahan encounter, the Kausar Bi encounter, the Haren Pandya murder case could not be forgotten and brushed away, he added.

It was the duty of the media to highlight such important issues, he said.

K. Phaniraj, Vice-President of district unit of Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike, said that while the atrocities on the Dalits were increasing, the conviction rate was negligible.

Shyamraj Birthi, William Martis, Hussain Kodibengre, Nihal, Vasu Nejar, leaders of progressive groups, were present.

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JD(S) leader G T Devegowda backs CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA row, taunts HDK

News Network

October 4,2024

Mysuru: Chairman of JD(S) core committee and Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G T Devegowda on Thursday expressed his solidarity with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying the latter need not resign, while lambasting leaders of his own party and alliance partner BJP, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

In his speech during Mysuru Dasara inauguration he said that if persons against whom FIR is registered have to resign, many leaders from all the three parties, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, will have to resign.

“All are sitting in glass houses... Since I know Siddaramaiah well, I am talking about him. At a time when mines and real estate are ruling politics, Siddaramaiah has survived in politics. He has never done any favour,” Devegowda said.

He added, “Allegations against Siddaramaiah are unexpected and accidental. If the Governor and Chief Justice order an investigation, it does not mean that he should resign."

He continued, asking, "Have they told Siddaramaiah to resign or have they asked to imprison him? When a person becomes a Central minister, he or she should realise their dignity and responsibility. Instead of recognising the good work done by Siddaramaiah, they ask him to resign. Will Kumarswamy (facing an FIR) resign? Should Siddaramaiah, who has become CM with a support of 135 MLAs, resign?"

"Opposition leaders are not remembering the good work of earlier CMs Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Veerendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda or S M Krishna. Karnataka is a model state. It is a bad trend to topple an elected government which is doing good work,” he further said.

Devegowda added, “Siddaramaiah is Goddess Chamundeshwari’s ‘Varaputra’ and hence has her blessings during tough times. He won the election in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, when the BJP-JD(S) government was in power in 2006. With the blessings of the Goddess, he has held varied positions right from becoming an MLA for the first time in 1983. He presented 15 budgets and has become CM for a second time. He took H C Mahadevappa, a Dalit leader to the state level. Siddaramaiah has the support of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar as ‘Jodeththu’. Blessings of the beneficiaries of guarantee schemes are with him (Siddaramaiah).”

Siddaramaiah said, “Devegowda was a MUDA member. He knows the truth. Hence, he is saying this. His words have filled strength in me. ‘Satyameva Jayate’, Truth will always triumph.”

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