Latest news with #pro-Dalit
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Activists demand improvement of health facilities in Karnataka's Hassan, submit memorandum to Deputy Commissioner
Activists representing many progressive organisations in Hassan on Thursday met Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari and requested her to ensure that the super speciality hospital of Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) is opened at the earliest. A delegation of activists, which included representatives of pro-Dalit, women, and farmers' organisations, demanded the upgradation of health services in the district in tune with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner in this regard. The people of Hassan require good health services, as the number of sudden deaths due to heart-related diseases has increased in recent days, the activists said. Irrespective of age and gender, many died due to various health issues; however, many of them could have survived, had they been provided with timely health services, they added. 'The super speciality hospital being constructed on the campus of HIMS requires ₹60 crore for the procurement of necessary equipment and recruitment of staff. The government should release the amount required, and the number of primary health centres and community health centres should be increased as per the IPHS,' they said. The forum of progressive organisations has launched a public campaign for people's health called 'Janarogyakkagi Janandolana'. As part of the campaign, they would stage a dharna in front of the super speciality hospital constructed in the city on August 15. Writer and activist Rupa Hassan; activists Jayalakshmi Rajanna Gowda, Mamatha Shivu, and Bhanamathi; writer Suvarna Shivaprasad; Swamy Chinnenahalli, and others were present as part of the delegation.
Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Siddaramaiah has got a booster as he scraps aerospace park land bid near Bengaluru
The question of whether he will continue as the Karnataka Chief Minister is still up in the air, but Siddaramaiah seems to have just cemented his base among the farming community in the state. On Wednesday, the CM dropped a land acquisition bid by the government for a proposed 1,777 acre high-tech defence and aerospace park in rural Bengaluru's Devanahalli. This came after three-and-a-half years of protests led by farmer unions such as Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, pro-Dalit forums, labour organisations, and literary personalities. The residents of 13 villages in Channarayapatna in rural Bengaluru, where the proposed project was to come up, also joined the protests. The state government has, however, said it would acquire land from those who consent to give their land for any future industrial projects. The now-scrapped proposal in Devanahalli was initiated under the previous BJP government in August 2021. The fertile land — critical for crops like vegetables, fruits, and flowers that supply 30% of Bengaluru's agricultural needs — was key to many farmers' livelihoods, making its acquisition a deeply emotive issue. In 2022, when the farmers launched their protests, Siddaramaiah was the Leader of Opposition and had publicly made a promise to the farmers that he would scrap the acquisition if Congress comes to power. After assuming office, his government's sanction of a final acquisition notification in April 2025 was seen as 'betrayal' by the protesting farmers. The issue ended up gaining momentum, with several leading figures such as actor-politician Prakash Raj, historian Ramachandra Guha, and writer Devanur Mahadeva also joining in to allege that the Congress was prioritising corporates over farmers' interest. This criticism intensified following the 'Devanahalli Chalo' protest on June 25, which gained national attention after police detained protesters, further denting the government's image. Agreeing to the demand to scrap the proposal would bolster Siddaramaiah's image as a 'pro-farmer leader' and bring him respite after a series of setbacks. Last year, the CM was under fire over his family's involvement in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. In June this year, there was a stampede at Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory parade in Bengaluru. Within the Congress, Siddaramaiah faced complaints from several MLAs over lack of funds to execute projects in their constituencies. Adding to this was the leadership tussle between him and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar. It only intensified with the countdown beginning for November, when Siddaramaiah would hit the half-way mark of his tenure – the point at which a change of guard is supposed to take place, as per an unwritten agreement claimed by Shivakumar's supporters, which is denied by the Siddaramaiah camp. Amidst these developments, his decision to drop the Devanahalli land proposal has led to Siddaramaiah being projected as a leader 'responsive to grassroots movements'. A S Raghu, a farmer and member of the Channarayapatna Land Struggle Committee, an apex body organising the protests, told The Indian Express, 'If not for Siddaramaiah at the helm, the decision would not have been in our favour. Some senior leaders in the government tried to create divisions among the protesting farmers to serve vested interests, but they failed. The CM reinforced his commitment to farmers' livelihood and we are grateful to him.' However, the decision to withdraw the notification appears to have upset pro-industry leaders who wanted to position Karnataka as a hub for the aerospace and defence sector. Industries minister MB Patil had earlier argued that neighbouring states Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were aggressively expanding their industrial base by offering large parcels of land at subsidised rates. The minister expressed concerns about Karnataka suffering losses if companies in this sector shift their operations to other states. At present, Karnataka, a national leader in the aerospace and defence sector, contributes nearly 65% to the country's output in these sectors. The state is home to major industry giants such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Safran, Boeing, Airbus, Collins, and Lockheed Martin, with a well-established aerospace park already operating near the Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli. To further consolidate its strategic advantage, the Karnataka government felt the need for an additional aerospace and defence park in the region and pushed for strengthening infrastructure around Bengaluru.
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- New Indian Express
After murder allegation, SC/ST panel probes Dalit man's death
TIRUPPUR: The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (TNSCSCST) has initiated an investigation into the death of a 42-year-old visually impaired wage labourer near Dharapuram in Tiruppur district. K Murugan, who belonged to the Arunthathiyar community, was found dead in his village, Sennakkalpalayam on June 26. Although the Alangiyam police confirmed his death as a suicide, pro-Dalit outfits and parties raised doubts and claimed that Murugan was murdered by unidentified people from the dominant community of the village. They also demanded a 'serious investigation' be conducted into this matter. On Friday, the SC/ST commission members S Selvakumar and M Pon Dhous conducted an investigation in Sennakkalpalayam. 'They interrogated Murugan's wife and children, and villagers. Earlier, they had inspected the area where Murugan's body was found,' sources said. Speaking to reporters, M Pon Dhous said, 'The details of the investigation will be released as a report soon. This investigation is being conducted to determine if there are any wrongdoings.'
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- The Hindu
Tiruppur Dalit man found dead with hands tied; foul play alleged
Pro-Scheduled Caste forums and activists have alleged foul play in the death of a 42-year-old man, whose body was found hanging from a tree with his hands tied, near Dharapuram in Tiruppur district on June 26. While the police stated that it was a case of suicide, the organisations alleged that the deceased, K. Murugan of Sennakkalpalayam, who belonged to the Scheduled Caste and was doing farm work, was a victim of caste atrocity. Murugan's body was found around 11 a.m. on June 26. The Alangiyam police shifted the body to the Dharapuram GH, where the post-mortem examination was carried out on June 27. The body was cremated the same day. Tiruppur District Superintendent of Police (SP) Yadav Girish Ashok said the post-mortem findings did not indicate any signs of external force. Murugan's family also did not raise any suspicion in his death. The police registered a case under Section 194 (police to enquire and report on suicide, etc.) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. 'A detailed investigation is on,' the SP said. Another senior police officer claimed that the hands were not tied fully when the body was found. The rope was found only coiled around the wrists without a knot. This indicated that Murugan could have done it himself before ending his life, the officer said. The police said Murugan's moped and footwear were found near the scene. He had visited his relatives before coming to the spot, they said. However, activists and members of the VCK, the Tamil Puligal Katchi, and other pro-Dalit organisations alleged foul play. They also accused the police of not conducting a proper investigation and forcing the family to cremate the body in haste. V. Govindaraj of Vizhuthugal, an organisation working for the welfare of people belonging to the SCs and Scheduled Tribes, said he would petition the Collector for an inquiry into Murugan's death. (Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State's health helpline 104 and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Adoni MLA draws flak over casteist remarks, tenders apology
Tirupati: Adoni BJP MLA Dr P Venkata Parthasarathi has tendered an apology after his casteist-remarks' video drew criticism from the Dalit and SC-ST communities and from various quarters as well. The Adoni MLA, who went to attend an official programme at Dhanapuram village on June 16, was addressing the villagers from a makeshift stage erected close to the local temple premises. In the video which is going viral, the MLA calls for local sarpanch Chandrasekhar to come onto the stage. But when he can't find the sarpanch, Parthasarathi asks the leaders on the stage if Chandrasekhar was a Christian. Then a local leader identified as Gudise Krishnamma tells the MLA that Chandrasekhar belongs to the SC community, and Chandrasekhar stops himself from going up onto the stage. Various pro-Dalit organisations and human rights forums strongly condemned the incident and demanded an apology from the ruling party legislator after the video of the incident went viral on various social media platforms since Wednesday. Meanwhile, Adoni MLA Parthasarathi clarified that he himself was from the BC community and had taken part in many Dalit movements in the past. "I had no intention to hurt anyone's sentiments on the caste or religious lines. The local sarpanch Chandrasekhar had recently joined the BJP from the YSRCP and when I called up his name to come onto the stage and he wasn't seen anywhere, I doubted if he belonged to Christianity and was reluctant to come onto the stage which was close to the temple premises," he said. Recalling his association with numerous groups fighting for Dalit rights, Parthasarathi stated that he was tendering an open apology if the incident had hurt the sentiments of the Dalit groups and others.
