Mangaluru: Dalit activists in Dakshina Kannada have raised serious concerns over the inefficiency of the District Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate (DCRE) in addressing cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Despite the establishment of dedicated DCRE stations, activists allege that justice is being delayed, leaving victims disheartened and dissatisfied.
Activists voice discontent at grievance meeting
A meeting was held at the Mangaluru Police Commissioner’s office on Sunday to discuss the grievances of SC and ST communities within the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate and Dakshina Kannada district police limits. The session was chaired by DCP (Law and Order) Mithun HN and Additional SP Anil Kumar S. Bhoomraddi.
During the meeting, activist Jagadish Pandeshwar brought attention to a case involving a Dalit woman who received obscene calls and WhatsApp messages from an individual residing abroad. Despite the filing of a complaint, no significant action was taken, and the accused remained at large. Pandeshwar alleged that the case was transferred to the DCRE station, but the officer in charge responded irresponsibly and failed to ensure progress.
Call for accountability and transparency
Dalit activists demanded a detailed record of all atrocity cases handled by the DCRE station, seeking clarity on the status of investigations. They warned that if corrective measures were not taken and the pending case was not resolved by the next meeting, they would initiate protests to ensure justice for victims.
DCP Mithun assured the activists that, since the DCRE does not operate directly under the City Police Commissioner’s jurisdiction, a formal letter outlining their dissatisfaction would be sent to the DCRE Director General (DG) to seek intervention.
Concerns over self-employment scheme selections
During the meeting, Dalit leader SP Anand also highlighted concerns regarding the selection process for self-employment schemes intended for SC and ST beneficiaries. Anand stated that the selection process, which was previously overseen by a committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner (DC), has, for the past 15 years, been handled by local legislators. He alleged that this shift has led to favouritism, with influential community members and associates of legislators being chosen over genuinely deserving poor beneficiaries. He urged the government to revert to the earlier system to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.
Praise for DJ ban amid festive season
Dalit leader Raghu Ekkaru commended the Mangaluru City Police Commissioner for denying approval for DJs during public programmes, stating that it helped maintain peace during festivals. He urged the police department to continue enforcing this decision despite political pressure in the district. DCP Mithun confirmed that the Karnataka High Court has upheld the DJ ban and assured that no exceptions would be made.
Conclusion
The meeting concluded with a firm message from Dalit activists, who stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and fair governance in handling SC/ST grievances. With growing frustration over the alleged inaction of the DCRE, the activists signalled that stronger demonstrations would follow if their demands for justice remain unmet.