Unseen untouchability is more dangerous: Dinesh Amin Mattu
Ambedkar youth festival inaugurated at Udupi
Udupi, December 23: "The intensity of untouchability has reduced little bit not because of the conversion the mindset of people, but because of the force of law entitled by the Constitution. The untouchability which is visible in the society has its structure and colours. But the casteism existed in the society is still alive. Interestingly, this invisible untouchability is more dangerous. Nowadays, the society has been practicing the new kind of untouchability by creating inferiority complex among the beneficiaries of reservation", said senior journalist and scholar Dinesh Amin Mattu.
Inaugurating the Ambedkar youth festival, organised by the Udupi Ambedkar Yuva Sene at Bannanje Narayanaguru Kalyan Mandir here on Sunday, he said that the reservation was facing a threat due to privatisation. The country has just 2 per cent government employees employed under reservation. Now, efforts were on to snatch such reservation employment opportunities through privatisation. So efforts should be made to ensure reservation in private sector along with reservation in government sector, he said.
"There's non-vaidic tradition beyond castes and religions in the coastal region which a cradle of pluralism. Unfortunately, fanatics have been creeping into that non-vaidic tradition. There is a continuous onslaught of vaidic tradition on the deities with whom we speak, we quarrel and we touch. Such invisible cultural politics is more dangerous", he said.
"We are getting protection due to the Constitution. We will be safe till the Constitution is safe in this country. Even if Hundred Modi's came, they can't change the Constitution. Another revolution would happen if the Constitution is touched. But efforts are on to weaken the Constitution by bringing in amendment to it", he said.
Ambedkar was unable to write the Constitution as he wanted. He had said that the Constitution has to be burnt if the devils entered into the Soudha of democracy instead of god. The Constitution would not have any meaning if those who oppose the Constitution entered into the temple of democracy. If demands, only we have the right to burn the Constitution and not the anti-dalits or anti-Ambedkar", he said.
Those who oppose Ambedkar were trying to finish him through negligence, appeasement and adoration. Ambedkar had brought in the reservation to remove the casteism and not to strengthen it. The reservation could eliminate the economic imbalance and not social discrimination, he said.
Barukolu paper editor BR Rangaswamy garlanded the portrait of Ambedkar and inaugurated the blood bank. Ambedkar Yuva Sene president Harish Salian Malpe presided over it.
Malpe SC Fishermen Association president Radha Thottam, leaders Shashikala Palan Thottam, Dinesh Moodubettu, Anil Ambalapadi, Sampath Gujjarabettu, Ramesh Maben Ammunje, Manjunath Kappettu were present. Dalit scholar Jayanthis Malpe spoke on the occasion. Before it, Ambedkar rally was taken out from Kappettu and passed through Brahmagiri, Ajjarakadu, Double Road, KM Road, Service City Bus Stand and converged at Bannanje.
Pejawara Swamiji is mentally imbalance
Pejawara Swamiji is suffering from mental imbalance due to his age. He speaks whatever he wants every now and then. There is no need to take his statements of constructing Ram Mandir and changing the Constitution so seriously. So she should be pardoned because of his age. When Udupi Chalo was conducted, his shishya (disciple) spoke about purifying Udupi. What should we tell about the Swamiji who has such a disciple, Dinesh Amin Mattu said.
Dalits could not achieve anything if they were made priests in temples. Instead of this, the temples which practice untouchability should be boycotted. No one should go to Udupi Mutt which denies mass meals, he said.
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No objection to action against grandson if he is found guilty: Deve Gowda on sexual abuse case
Bengaluru (PTI): JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda, who turned 92 on Saturday, broke his silence over the sexual abuse charges levelled against his grandson and MP Prajwal Revanna and said he has no objection to the action taken against him if found guilty.
However, he said the cases against his son and JD(S) MLA H D Revanna, who is facing charges of sexual harassment and kidnap of a woman, were "created", but refrained from commenting further, as the matter was subjudice.
Recently, Gowda had announced his decision not to celebrate his birthday and requested well wishers and party workers to wish him from wherever they are.
"... I don't want to comment on things that are going on in the court regarding Revanna. Prajwal Revanna has gone abroad, regarding that Kumaraswamy (Gowda's other son and state JD(S) chief) has on behalf of our family said it is the duty of the government to take action in accordance with the law of the land," Gowda said.
Addressing reporters here, the former PM said, "There are several people connected to this (sexual abuse cases), I don't want to take anyone's names. Kumaraswamy has said that those who are involved in this matter, action should be taken against all of them, and the affected women should get justice and compensation."
"There is no objection from us for taking action against Prajwal. But people have come to know (facts) about the allegations made against Revanna, how the case has been created. In one case he has got the bail, in another case there is judgment day-after-tomorrow...I don't want to comment on it," he said as he concurred with Kumaraswamy's statement that if found guilty no one should be spared.
Prajwal (33) is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women. The scandal has raised a political storm with the ruling Congress and BJP-JD(S) engaged in a slugfest.
Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on April 27 and is still at large. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against him, in an effort to bring him back.
He was BJP-JD(S) alliance's joint candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went to polls on April 26.
Meanwhile, Gowda's 66-year-old son, Revanna, a former Minister, has got interim anticipatory bail from a court here, in a sexual harassment case, in which his son Prajwal is also an accused.
Asked whether there was a conspiracy to defame and scuttle his family politically, Gowda said, "It is true... over all what all has happened, several people are involved, I won't take names. Kumaraswamy will say on what action to be taken."
Responding to a query on BJP leader and advocate G Devaraje Gowda's allegations that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is behind the circulation of pen drive containing explicit videos involving Prajwal Revanna, Gowda said, Kumaraswamy will respond to all of this.
"We have seen in the media as to what Devaraje Gowda has said. Kumaraswamy has been reacting to all this actively as the party's state President, he will speak, I won't at this point. I had campaigned for Lok Sabha polls, on June 4 after Lok Sabha polls results are announced, I will meet you (media)," he added.
Gowda also appealed to media persons campaign near his house to end it. "I also appeal to your owners."
