Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 31: “When UT Khader became the health minister, we were very happy as we thought all the problems of the Endosulfan victims would be taken care. He even assured that injustice against the Endosulfan victims would be resolved. But he failed miserably,” said Endo Virodhi Horata Samiti president, Shridhar Gowda in a press meet at the Mangalore Press Club on Wednesday May 31.

Addressing the news conference, Gowda said “Each time an Endosulfan victim has to undergo treatment they have to take loans and even I have invested a lot in these treatments. Now who will repay these loans in the bank? Will U T Khader repay it or should we all commit suicide?”

Expressing his disappointment, he further said, “UT Khader has failed as the Minister of health. He promised a permanent rehabilitation centre to treat the victims but he failed to deliver it in action. Earlier the Endo Virodhi Horata Samiti held a protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru demanding justice. The most disappointing let down was the attitude of the health minister. He termed the protest as a publicity stunt. We didn't have to do any publicity to gain the attention of the people in order to voice out our opinion.”

The Endosulfan victims have been suffering injustice for the past 15 years, not only physically but also socially. They have been deprived of the facilities that a common man has. Taking this into consideration the Samiti held a hunger strike as sign of protest at Kokkada on May 27. The protest was held so that the government could extend relief fund
to victims. The strike was called off as the officials were concerned about the health of the Endosulfan victims. I thank all the government officials and the media persons for supporting us in our fight for justice.”

“Two years ago in order to avoid the spread of disabilities by the EndoSulfan, I, along with Dr Shanbhag requested scanning of pregnant women who were victims so that they could check the foetus and curb the disability. The government said that they didn't have the money and denied permission.”

“U T Khader who was health minister had the power to help the whole district but he failed in doing so. There is not even a proper file that holds the cases of the Endosulfan victims in the government. If any further negative statements are passed against the Endo Samiti then UT Khader and other representatives will be shown black flag by the Endosulfan victims,” added Gowda.

Murlidhar Nayak, president of DK and Udupi Handicap Association pointed out how this protest has made the public aware about the situation of the endosulfan victims.

“People of the community were very happy when UT Khader became the health minister expecting many positive changes. We even requested him to provide BPL card to the specially disabled because most of them cannot afford the treatment but he did not even propose it in the assembly which was very disappointing,” he said.

High court advocate Harish Poonja said, “The government is delaying the payment of compensation to the victims. Only after prolonged protests carried out by Gowda that the government has paid some compensation.”

The Endo Virodhi Horata Samiti spokesperson also said that MLAs have assured to propose this issue in the assembly meeting that will be held on June 4 to 7. “If they fail to resolve this issue then we will hold another hunger strike on June 8,” he said.

“So far, the Samiti has gained the support of 68 organizations. We have been fighting for justice for the past 15 years, but there has hardly been any improvement, but we will not stop fighting for the Endo victims,” said Gowda. 

Harish Poonja, Dr Muralidar Nayak, Dinesh Shetty  and Purandara Khadir were present.