On July 6, MLA V. Sunil Kumar spoke out against the unilateral formation of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan management and supervisory committee in Karkala taluk. The MLA was addressing a protest organized by the Federation of Dalit Organizations in front of the Karkala Taluk Office. The protest alleged irregularities in the committee formation process. Kumar stated that the construction of the Ambedkar Bhavan was a long-held dream, finally realized thanks to the efforts of Dalit organizations and his own efforts, as well as those of former Social Welfare Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary. The government had provided a grant of Rs. 2 crore, but the Bhavan was built at a cost of Rs. 6 crore. Kumar criticized the unilateral formation of the committee without consultation with him or local Dalit organizations.
Sudhakar Danashale, President of the Federation of Dalit Organizations, noted that this was the first time such a protest had occurred in Karkala’s history. He demanded the cancellation of the illegally formed committee and the formation of a new one. Danashale stated that the Social Welfare Department had issued a notice on April 27, indicating a meeting to form the management committee on June 4, but this meeting was canceled without notification. Harish Mudaru, General Secretary of the Federation, questioned the secretive formation of the committee and warned that if it is not dissolved within 10 days, they will protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi