Pics: Sumanth Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Aug 8: The Karnataka Bhovi Samaj Seva Committee staged a protest to bring to the attention of the government that scheduled caste certificates are not being issued to the Bhovi community members, at the DC office, Manipal, on August 8.
Uday Kumar Bhovi, president Karnataka Bhovi Samaj Seva Committee, Udupi, said, “Bhovi community is extremely backward in all aspects and leading their life relies on agricultural activities. The Bhovi community is encountering significant problems in obtaining certification. The people of Vadda race changed to Bhovi. Even though they are ordered to get certification as Vadda, they take Bovi certification and cause problems for the Bhovi community.”
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“Even if the father holds a Bhovi certificate, his son is often denied the same certification. We are asserting our rights and seeking to ensure our community continues to be on the reservation list. Due to migration various other backward castes settle here, the Bhovi communities who are the origin of this region are side-lined. As Bhovi community people are illiterate, during the school admission process, they fill the documents of their child as Bhovi, which continues to be their caste status and deprived of reservation. We need clarity on our rightful category, " said Uday Kumar.
Chandrashekar Bovi, former president, expressed frustration over the lack of progress despite ongoing protest and said, “Despite our constant efforts, we are yet to achieve justice. As we lack external support, we have still been unable to secure the necessary rights. If this situation persists, our community may eventually disappear.”
Even after the recommendation made by the special committee formed on cast confusion of Bhovi race, to issue scheduled caste certification to Bhovi race, they are still deprived of it. The previously issued caste certificates are not being renewed. The Bhovi race people are demanding justice, and if they are not given justice, they stated of holding protests in every district.
After the protest, the Karnataka Bhovi Samaj Seva Committee, Udupi, submitted a memorandum to ADC Mamatha Devi, demanding for justice and clarification.
Secretary of Karnataka Bhovi Samaj Seva Committee Udupi Rathnakara Bhovi, president Karnataka Bhovi Samaj Seva Committee, Udupi Lakshman Bhovi, president World Human Rights Kota Dinesh Ganiga, Uchchappa Bhovi, Sadananda Bhovi and others were present in the protest.