Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Apr 3: Dalit rights activists, along with various Dalit and like-minded organizations, staged a protest in Vittal, demanding the immediate arrest of landowner Mahesh Bhat, accused of sexually assaulting a Dalit minor girl in Manila village. The protestors also urged a thorough investigation and the registration of the case under stringent laws to ensure justice for the victim.

The protest march started from Vittal’s private bus stand, proceeded through the main streets, and culminated in a protest gathering near the Nada Kacheri.

Addressing the gathering, Eshwari Padmunja, a member of the State Dalit Rights Committee, accused the police of attempting to cover up the case. She stated that despite the victim’s parents receiving death threats, the police remained silent. She demanded a medical examination of the girl and the immediate arrest of Mahesh Bhat. She further questioned whether the police would remain passive if such an atrocity were committed against their own children.

DYFI district secretary Santosh Bajal stated that the crime was not just sexual harassment but suspected to be rape, and strict action must be taken against the accused. He criticized the police for failing to arrest the accused even after several days, alleging that they were shielding the perpetrator. He also condemned the systemic oppression of Dalit women and called out the silence of BJP leaders on the issue. He warned that if the police failed to act, the agitation would intensify, including a march to the SP’s office.

Labor leader Shekhar emphasized that the protest was beyond caste and religion, uniting people to seek justice for the victim’s family. He condemned the political and police systems for denying justice to marginalized communities.

Dinesh Moolur criticized Dalit youth within the BJP for their silence on the matter, warning that when injustice befalls them, only progressive and Dalit organizations will stand by them. He reiterated that stronger protests would continue if strict legal action was not taken against Mahesh Bhat.

Labor leader B M Bhat, along with farmer leaders K Yadav Shetty, Manjula Nayak, Asadok Konchadi, B K Imtiyaz, Sadashiva Padubidri, Sarojini, Dinesh, S P Anand, and Sesappa Bedrakad, also addressed the gathering.

Several Dalit leaders, including Chandrashekhar Kinya, Vishwanath Manjanadi, Pushparaj Manila, Suresh, Chandappa, Radhakrishna Bondantila, Kamalaksha Bajal, Raghavendra Padpu, Shina Kanyana, Ramappa Manjeshwar, Gangadhar Goliadka, and Vijay Moodbidri, participated in the protest. DYFI leaders Rizwan Harekala, Jagadish Bajal, Naveen Konchadi, Razak Mudipu, Asunt D'Souza, Pramila Shaktinagar, Sunita Tanneerubavi, Jacinta Jokatte, Abhishek Beltangady, and Yogita, along with labor leaders Sukumar Tokkottu, Ramesh, and Yogish Jappinamogaru, were also present.

Following the protest, a memorandum was submitted through the tahsildar’s office. The event was coordinated by Dalit Rights Committee president Krishna Konaje, with Krishna Tanneerubavi delivering the vote of thanks. Vittal police had deployed security arrangements during the protest.