From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 4: Prominent Dalit leader M Jayanna (66) from Chitradurga district has been chosen for the prestigious Babu Jagjivan Ram memorial award for the year 2015-16.

A five-member selection committee headed by Kannada Development Authority L Hanumanthaiah shortlisted the name of Jayanna.

Karnataka’s Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya told reporters in Bengaluru on Monday that the 109th birth anniversary of late Deputy Prime Minister would be observed on Tuesday.

The minister said that the annual award comprised cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation and would be conferred on the Dalit leader by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, at the Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday.

Jayanna was born on June 3, 1950, in AgasanaKalli in Chitradurga district.

He had several Dalit SangharshaSamithi agitations seeking justice for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe people.

In 1981, he had participated in the BhooChaluvali movement for land for Dalits in Chitradurga district and fought for internal reservation among SCs in promotions.

He had also organised several rallies seeking fair investigation in Kambalapalli Dalit carnage.