Show solidarity with Anand Teltumbde
It has been three years since Rohit Vemula had to sacrifice his life to the system. His death is an example of how the government, police department, politicians and authorities can systematically finish a creative person. This silencing of voices didn’t end with Vemula, in fact his incident was just the beginning of it all.
Today all activists who speak against the dictatorship of the government are facing threat of being jailed. This way, the efforts are on to silence them forever. All those who participated in Koregaon movement a year ago are being branded ‘Urban Naxals’ and are being jailed. Government wants to finish off every person who’d speak against its ideology before the upcoming elections. Koregaon movement is just a pretext. The Real design is to create violence in an event and blame the participants for it so that genuine progressive movements can be finished forever. This agenda is clear from the subsequent incidents.
Unfortunately, the place where the Dalits were instigated by anti-social elements was around the Sambhaji’s burial site. Sambhaji was killed by Aurangzeb’s army as a result of conspiracy between Peshwas, Marathas and Rajputs. His body was collected and given a dignified burial by Govind, a Dalit from Mahar community, and not Peshwes or Marathas. Govind built a burial tomb in his field. After Govind Mahar dies, his memorial was built right around Sambhaji’s funeral site, by his family members.
This narrative from the pages of history is adequate to understand who betrayed Shivaji and his son Sambhaji, and who stood by their side when things went wrong. But Sangh Parivar has always been creating skewed narratives of history. And this incident too has one such stretched story in their version. They believe the body was not buried by Govind Mahar but a person called Shivale, from the Maratha community. Not just that, they almost destroyed the burial site of Govind Mahar that was right next to Sambhaji’s site two days prior to Koregaon day celebrations. This action was clearly aimed at instigating the Dalits who would be taking part in Koregaon day. But the Dalits maintained silence and peace and the event ended on a calm note over discussions and deliberations.
But the Sangh Parivar wanted a ruckus to break out on Koregaon day. So the Sangh Parivar pelted stones at the meeting held on January 1 and attacked the Dalits armed with Saffron flags. Dalits were forced to defend. But all the Sangh Parivar leaders involved in violence were given a clean chit. All the progressive leaders were branded ‘extremists’ and sent to jail. Tragedy is the police made an FIR based on the complaint lodged by those who took part in the violence, blaming the progressive thinkers for it. Sangh Parivar has said the instigating speech delivered by the thinkers led to violence in Koregaon. But the entire video and speech is with the police. If there were any such elements, the police could lodge a suo moto case. The question arises as to why the complaint was lodged as per the convenience of Sangh Parivar, after a whole week.
Tragically enough, writer Anand Teltumbde who never took part in the event has also been named in the FIR. The police are keen to arrest him even when he says he did not take part in the Elgar Parishad convention, and provided all proof and witnesses to the effect. Yet, the arrest seems too imminent. Teltumbde is also being branded ‘Urban Naxal’ with this. His statement carries no weight and his plea before the courts has fallen on deaf ears.
The stage has been set to severe a hand that writes, shut the brain that thinks and a tongue that speaks. It is easy to understand why the government is after Teltumbde. He is a rare writer who helped Dalit writing thrive in the country. He put out incidents like Khairlanji and others before the world that were happening in India. Else, one would have never known the fact behind Khairlanji. Dalits have begun to understand their realities. Writers like Teltumbde are a challenge to the lies that are being spread through Sangh Parivar.
In this background, plans are afoot to clear him off with Koregaon as the pretext. It is rather worrisome that no people or political parties that indulge in Dalit appeasement have spoken in support of Teltumbde. He has not just written for the Dalits but has written and spoken a lot against Modi government too. Just as Vemula was isolated, Teltumbde is also being isolated right now. For all these reasons, he has to be supported by parties, regions and organisations. If he is supported in the strongest voice today, no government would dare quash the freedom of expression 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.”
