Malpe: Dalit Samiti condemns Pramod Madhwaraj, Raghupathi Bhat for justifying assault on dalit woman
Udupi: Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti Ambedkar Vad District General Convener Manjunath Gilliyaru has criticized former minister Pramod Madhwaraj and former MLA Raghupathi Bhat for exposing their 'regressive mentality' by justifying the heinous act of tying a Dalit woman to a tree and assaulting her in Malpe.
He was speaking after presiding over an emergency meeting of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti Ambedkar Vad District Committee in Udupi on Sunday regarding the Malpe incident.
These politicians, who appear to be in a competition to gain political mileage, have made provocative statements to incite the Mogaveera community against Dalits. Furthermore, they are also issuing threats to the marginalized community, he alleged.
State Organizing Coordinator Sundar Master stated that the Dalit community working in the port will not remain silent if they are harassed. The issue of the Lambani community being driven out of the port and threatened has already come to the committee's attention. He urged the district administration and police department to take immediate and appropriate action.
"Instead of shouting and naming the office bearers of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti during the protest in Malpe, let them come forward for a discussion. We are ready to respond appropriately. As a progressive organization, it is our primary duty to fight against atrocities committed against the oppressed in any part of the country," he asserted.
Mysuru Divisional Organizing Coordinator Shyamaraj Birti emphasized that Malpe port is government property and not the private possession of any individual.
"Everyone has the right to work and earn a livelihood there. This is not Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, where slum-like conditions prevail. Such hooliganism should be completely eradicated in Udupi, a district known for its intelligence and harmony," he said.
The meeting was attended by District Organizing Coordinators Shyamsunder Thekkatte, Rajendra Master Belle, Manjunath Naguru, Suresh Hakladi, Bhaskar Master, Sridhara Kunjibettu, Annappa Nakre, as well as Taluk Coordinators Raju Bettinamane, Manjunath Balkudru, Raghava Belle, Harishchandra Birti, Shivaram Kapu, Kusuma Hangarakatte, Sivananda Birti, Ramesh Maravante, Krishna, Suresh Barkur, Shivraj Bynduru, and Ratnakara Kunjibettu.
The Dalit Sangharsh Samiti has commended the police department for filing a suo moto case against former minister Pramod Madhwaraj over his provocative speech during the Malpe protest.
Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun Kumar has made the right decision at the right time in the Malpe incident. The Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti stands in support of him on the Ambedkar principle and will continue to back the Superintendent of Police in this just struggle, said Shyamaraj Birti.
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India asks its nationals in Iran to leave by available means
New Delhi (PTI): India on Monday advised all its nationals residing in Iran to leave the country by all available means of transport, including commercial flights, in view of the evolving security situation.
The Indian embassy in Iran issued a fresh advisory to the Indian nationals amid fresh protests in Tehran and increasing fears of US military strikes on the Gulf nation. Students at several universities in Iran held anti-government demonstrations in a first such agitation since Tehran's brutal crackdown on the protesters last month.
According to official estimates in January, little over 10,000 Indians, including students, were living in Iran.
"In continuation of the advisory issued by the government of India on January 5 and in view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals who are currently in Iran (students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists) are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights," the embassy said.
The mission also reiterated that all Indian citizens and PIOs (persons of Indian-origin) should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy.
"All Indian nationals in Iran are requested to also have their travel and immigration documents, including passports and identity cards, readily available with them," the mission said in the advisory.
"They are requested to contact the Indian Embassy for any assistance in this regard," it said.
