Arresting Teltumbde was to silence Dalit voices
In the arrest case of Dalit thinker Anand Teltumbde, state and central government have been rapped on the knuckles really good. The police forcibly arrested Teltumbde on the wee hours last week. They arrested him and produced him before the court.
But the Court called this arrest ‘illegal’ and contempt of court, ordering for his immediate release. Teltumbde has been given immunity for four weeks from arrest. The court also said his arrest can be ordered only by Bombay High Court or Supreme Court after his bail application was cancelled. The issue of why the state hurried over his arrest by the police, while grossly misinterpreting the court rule, is worth pondering over now.
Anand Teltumbde has worked in various sectors. He was an engineer by profession and worked in prestigious positions in many private sector companies in both India and abroad. He is also known for his work in education sector, and as an activist for human rights.
His writings around the time when barbaric attack on dalits happened in Khairlanji ensured the issue got international focus. He is working relentlessly to spread Ambedkar’s thoughts and messages across the country as part of his commitment to preserve the country’s constitution. He is a public person, and not the one who would work underground or clandestinely over anything.
Today, the police are not interested in catching those who are spreading communal wildfire, lynching persons and creating chaos in the society. At the same time, the police are in great hurry to put a rational thinker, who has not committed a single crime, behind bars. What is the reason for this? What would the country gain if Teltumbde is called an ‘urban naxal’ and jailed?
Arresting him would be part of a bigger scheme of silencing voices that speak the language of dissidence in the society. This in real sense would be a loss to democracy. Hence the police wants to hold him captive so that the operation to shut the mouths of democratic voices can begin full force. If there was not an immense political pressure, his arrest wasn’t so inevitable despite the court order.
This Dalit Vijayotsava is not a new event that’s happening in Koregaon. This day marks the victory of 500 Mahar Dalits against casteist Peshwas. That day the Peshwa rule ended forever. Ambedkar set the practice of Koregaon Vijay Diwas. If all those who gather to celebrate Koregaon Vijay Diwas, the very first person as per the police department to earn this title would be Ambedkar. The police have always been against Koregaon Divas.
Sangh Parivar created a situation where a planned ruckus would break out at the time of celebration. Sangh leaders desecrated the burial site of Mahar Dalit which was right next to Sambhaji’s cemetery.
Their intention was to instigate the Dalits. Dalit leaders and followers held their composure. The police even have a video of the entire duration of speeches made at the event. It should have had records of instigative speeches if any were made. There’s nothing as such.
How does then one become responsible for the violence at the event or after that? At the same time, there are witnesses to prove Sangh Parivar attacked the Dalits. Yet, none of the main accused have been arrested.
Even those who were arrested have been released without delay and it is important to note that all of them have criminal backgrounds. But the police are blind to such truths and are targeting social activists time and again.
Teltumbde had not even participated in this programme and yet was targeted. So the motive is pretty clear here. Koregaon Vijayotsava is the main problem for the police and the state. Now the Peshwa bloodline is ruling the state of Maharashtra. This Vijayotsava is an indirect rap to them.
But the government has no power to stop the celebrations. If that’s done, the Dalits would rise against the government. And the Dalit leaders cannot be arrested directly. As a result, the organisers were called ‘Urban Naxals’ and allegations were made against them that they had plotted to kill the PM. Subsequent to that, their arrest was arranged for.
State hopes to finish all Dalit leaders who participate in Koregaon Vijay Diwas by way of arresting them one after another. They are trying to hold this shield of Urban Naxals and attacking the Dalits at the very root of their self respect.
Teltumbde may have escaped an arrest right now. But the police wont spare him for too long. This is the first attack on silencing the dalits. If the dalits do not come together to protest against this they won’t be able to save their own lives in the future.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
