Mangalore, July 8: Atrocities against Dalits were in existence during the British Raj too, said Dr. Madhava Peraje, Lecturer, Hampi Kannada University.
He was speaking at a seminar on 'Life of Dalits in Independent India', organized by Karnataka Dalitha Sangharsha Samithi (DSS Bhimavada) in Mangalore on Sunday.
Records mentioning British men carrying atrocities on Dalit women in 1700s are available, Dr. Peraje said.
In an inscription there is a mention of Dalits serving as army commanders in the 13th century. But during British rule, they were treated as slaves, he said.
Dr. Peraje also denied on the occasion that it was British who facilitated Dalits to get education by introducing common education. In the early 1700s, Dalits had access to education like upper caste people in India and there are records to prove it, he said.
Situation of Dalits same even after independence
Even after 64 years of independence, the situation of Dalits remains the same in India. Many Dalits have been deprived of government facilities due to lack of land rights documents, said Dharmanna Naik, Former Commissioner, Commercial Taxes Department, Mangalore.
Although it may appear that quite a few Dalits have got into government jobs, majority of Dalits continue to battle poverty and other problems. The educated members of the community must take intitatives in bringing the deprived lot to the mainstream, Mr. Naik said.
Shridhar Ullal, state award winning teacher and Krishnappa Derebail, District President, Mugera Samaja Seva Sangha, were felicitated on the occasion.
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