Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Apr 14: Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) on Tuesday April 14 held a protest demanding construction of Ambedkar Bhavan in the district.

The protest was held after the Samiti members paid floral tributes to the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr B R Ambedkar at his statue on his 125th birth anniversary near Town Hall here.

Raghu K Yekkar, district convenor, Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti said, "As a result of demand from Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti and other organisations for construction of Ambedkar Bhavan, former deputy commissioner Subodh Yadav allocated 1.61 acres of land at Urwa Store. When work was delayed we warned about protesting, thus the previous government called a meeting at the DC office's and promised to follow up the work. But nothing was done. Since the land comes under zone, zone conversion has to be done in the cabinet. Current district incharge minister called a meeting in the legislative assembly but no action has been taken so dar. So we demand the district administration to start the work quickly."

They submitted a memorandum to district incharge minister B Ramanath Rai who had come to pay floral tribute to the statue of Dr Ambedkar.

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa, police commissioner S Murugan and zilla panchayat CEO Srividya also offered floral tributes.

DCP Vishnuvardhan, ADC Sadashiv Prabhu and others were present at the event.