MYSORE: Taking a different view of the ongoing agitation against Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa for allegedly removing a portrait of B.R. Ambedkar from his office, the Dalit Mahasabha here has urged the activists to be wary of being exploited by opportunists. It has also called upon students in the city to withdraw the agitation.

In a release here on Monday, the district unit of the Mahasabha said that none of the politicians had worked for the uplift of the Dalit community though they were in power for more than five decades. Having been ousted from power, these political parties are espousing the cause of Dalits on an issue for political gains.

Mahasabha president Visvesvaraya told the activists that Mr. Yediyurappa has already issued a clarification and even tendered an apology to the Dalit community. Mr. Yediyurappa even offered to hold a discussion with the Dalit leaders on the issue. But it is strange that none of the Dalit leaders accepted his offer. This gives rise to the suspicion that the entire agitation has been orchestrated by political parties for their gains, the mahasabha said.

Mr. Visvesvaraya told the activists that greater challenges confront the community after liberalisation and the leaders should focus on larger issues that have a bearing on society. The mahasabha has also cautioned the Dalit leaders against drawing students and daily wage earners in the protest and thus depriving them of their education and daily earnings.

Meanwhile, the city unit of the BJP has appealed to the Dalit leaders and activists to end the agitation.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail