Madikeri: Palemadu Dalit families are staging hunger strike demanding intervention by the Deputy Commissioner to resolve the crisis arising out of desecration and removal of Dr. B R Ambedkar photographs put up to during recent Jayanthi celebrations.
Few days ago, Dalit leaders and organisations had put up the photographs and banners of Ambedkar and other leaders at strategic locations in Palemadu under Hodduru Gram Panchyat limits. In a sudden development, the panchayat development Officer (PDO) accompanied by few policemen cleared the photographs.
The enraged Dalit villagers opposed the action of GP authorities and policemen and protested against the removal. Situation turned tense as the police and Dalit members started confronting each other.
Dalits accused police of atrocities against them and expressed dissatisfaction over insults meted to Ambedkar’s photograph.
Officials and certain powerful and influential people are repeatedly dragging Dalits into controversy, they alleged. They insisted on the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner to resolve the problem and staged hunger strike. They plan to continue the strike till the issue is resolved.
The situation in the area is tense but under control.
