Latest news with #ProtectionAgainstAtrocitiesandProvisionofWelfare)Bill
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Shepherds from Karnataka want bill that promises better life, dignity passed in session
BENGALURU: Dozens of shepherds from across Karnataka converged on Freedom Park on Tuesday, demanding immediate passage of the Traditional Migratory Shepherds (Protection Against Atrocities and Provision of Welfare) Bill, 2025. The organisers had warned of turning the venue into a 'sea of sheep' — with herds flooding the capital's streets — but strict police restrictions barred them from bringing the animals. 'We got the shepherds, but couldn't get sheep here, as we did in other districts,' admitted chief organiser and advocate Yellappa Hegde. They had planned to protest right up to Vidhana Soudha, where the monsoon session is under way, but they were not allowed to. The Bill, pledged in the 2024-25 state budget, promises protection against the grim realities shepherds face daily — violence, theft, harassment, and even sexual assault. For a community that makes up 50-60 lakh of Karnataka's population, leaders warned that this is no longer about politics. 'This is not just a protest, but a fight for survival,' declared Hegde.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
More than 100 Karnataka shepherds protest at Bengaluru's Freedom Park. Here is why
Over a hundred shepherds staged a protest at Freedom Park on Tuesday, pressing the Karnataka government to bring in a long-pending law aimed at safeguarding their rights and welfare. The community has accused forest officials and other authorities of continued harassment, assaults and atrocities, particularly in remote forest and hilly regions. The protesting shepherds have list of demands to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. (ANI) Why are they protesting in Bengaluru? The protest comes months after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his Budget speech, promised to introduce the Shepherds' Protection and Prevention of Atrocities Bill. While the government has since proposed the Traditional Migratory Shepherds (Protection Against Atrocities and Provision of Welfare) Bill, 2025, herders argue that the draft legislation does not go far enough. Also Read - Bengaluru's Independence Day flower show at Lalbagh draws record 6.24 lakh visitors: Report In a memorandum submitted to the government, the Traditional Shepherds' Welfare Protection Struggle Committee alleged that community members have been subjected to life threats, murders, rapes, theft of livestock, and even bribe demands from forest department officials. The committee cited recent violent incidents in Bagalkote, Bidar, and Dharwad districts as evidence of the risks shepherds face, calling the attacks 'a grave question on humanity.' Protesters said their demand for a dedicated law has been pending for years, stressing that welfare measures such as hostel facilities, educational reservations for shepherds' children, health insurance, and market support for sheep rearing must be legally guaranteed. Also Read - Karnataka's Shakti Scheme sets world record with over 500 crore women bus journeys While welcoming the government's draft Bill, the shepherds urged that punishments and fines for atrocities be made more stringent, bail provisions for theft be tightened, and stricter action be taken against ineligible persons availing benefits meant for their community — along with officials who enable such misuse. (With PTI inputs)
