The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Government will work towards uplift of Dalits'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Government will work towards uplift of Dalits'

Staff Reporter

Dalits of America-Their Gandhis and Ambedkarsreleased Book on `Dalits of America-Their Gandhis and Ambedkars' released

BOOK RELEASE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy handing over the first copy of `Dalits of America — Their Gandhis and Ambedkars' to Siddalingaiah, president of Kannada Development Authority, in Bangalore on Tuesday. Home Minister M.P. Prakash (l eft) and Speaker Krishna are seen . — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said his Government would make all efforts to uplift Dalits and bring them into the mainstream of society.

Speaking after releasing a book, "Dalits of America-Their Gandhis and Ambedkars," authored by the veteran journalist and former chief of bureau of The Hindu C.M. Ramachandra here, he said it was unfortunate that racism prevailed in a developed country such as the United States of America.

Mr. Kumaraswamy appreciated Mr. Ramachandra for employing his literary talent to highlight the plight of the deprived sections of society. It was true that the Dalits in India had been neglected for long, he said.

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Krishna said the voters in the U.S. were demanding when it came to fulfilment of promises by politicians. The vigilant American electorate would not take their inaction lightly.

Speaking on his book, fifth in a series, Mr. Ramachandra said the emancipation of millions of African-Americans in the U.S. from the scourge of slavery and racial discrimination was fascinating.

Racism

However, even after the historic abolition of slavery and conferment of several human rights on them, including the right to vote, traces of racism was still found in the U.S., he said.

Home Minister M.P. Prakash said there were similarities between Mahatma Gandhi and Rosa Parks of the U.S. in launching a movement against racial discrimination in South Africa and the U.S. respectively after they were thrown out of a train or a public bus merely because they had occupied seats meant for whites. He said that the religious leaders here should learn from their counterparts in the U.S. and take up human rights violations and try to bring the oppressed classes on a par with the forward castes socially, educationally and spiritually.Siddalingiah, Chairman of Kannada Development Authority, said the uplift of Dalits in India had started now and there was so much to be done.

A. Jayaram, Chief of Bureau, The Hindu , Bangalore, suggested to the Government to recommend the name of Mr. Ramachandra to the Centre for a Padma award in view of his contributions and standing in the profession.

Primary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti and V.N. Subba Rao, Chairman, Karnataka Media Academy, attended the function.

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