Karnataka - Mysore   

Kumaraswamy has insulted Dalits: Shivanna

Staff Correspondent

MYSORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's recent stay at the house of a Dalit at Dada Kallahalli village in Mysore came under attack from the former Minister M. Shivanna, who described the exercise as a "political gimmick," amounting to playing with the sentiments of Dalits.

Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, Mr. Shivanna, who is a former MLA for H.D. Kote (Reserved) Assembly constituency, said Mr. Kumaraswamy's much-publicised stay at the residence of Cheluvaiah at Dadada Kallahalli was a "theatrical" exercise, smacking of political pretensions.

"If the Chief Minister's concern for Dalits were to be genuine, he would have stayed in Cheluviah's house as a common man. Instead, he got the house converted into a posh guesthouse. Before he came, the house was whitewashed and repaired. Not only was a modern temporary toilet installed at the house, even carpets and foam mattresses were brought for the Chief Minister's stay," Mr. Shivanna said.

The Chief Minister's actions amounted to making a mockery of the living conditions and life styles of Dalits. "He has insulted the Dalits," Mr. Shivanna said.

Pointing out that Mr. Kumaraswamy had been a film producer before becoming Chief Minister, Mr. Shivanna described his recent stay at the house of Dalit at Dadada Kallahalli as yet another production of his.

Instead of staging such political gimmicks, Mr. Shivanna said the Chief Minister should provide more hostels for Dalit students. "Though there are several hostels, Dalits do not get hostel facilities easily. The Chief Minister should immediately take steps to build more hostels and residential schools for Dalits," he said.

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