Karnataka - Belgaum   

Victim of atrocity continues ‘satyagraha’

Belgaum: The family of Mallikarjun Huchchappa Batagi, a Dalit, stayed away from the Republic Day celebrations here on Saturday.

Instead of the tri-colour, his children were sporting a “black flag”, as they too, rather unwittingly, were participating in the “satyagraha”, which entered 219th day on Saturday. For Mr. Batagi, it was just another day of “satyagraha”. The Constitution promises justice and equality of right and status. “But we stand denied as there is no one to secure them for us,” he said while sharing his tale of woes with The Hindu here on Saturday.

Mr. Batagi of Valmiki Nayak Samaj, along with his 75-year-old mother, wife, and two children, is on “satyagraha” right in front of Regional Commissioner’s office since June 26, 2007 demanding justice against alleged atrocities committed by a section of upper “caste” in his native village of Sarwad in Bableshwar police station limits of Bijapur district.

He has been thrown out of the village. He lost his home, agricultural land and a teashop.

He knocked on every door for justice, which continues to remain elusive till this day. With no one to help him in his home district, he launched “satyagraha” along with his family members in Belgaum on June 26 last year. Since then, the venue of his “satyagraha” is the only shelter in disguise and his family made a living out of charity.

On a representation of his brother Shankarappa Batagi on September 16, 2007 to rehabilitate Mr. Mallikarjun’s family at Harugeri in Hukkeri taluk of Belgaum district made to the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy while the latter was on “gram vastavya” near Surmutyana Thanda of Indi taluk in Bijapur district then, the Chief Minister directed Bijapur Deputy Commissioner to take action in that direction.

However, the Deputy Commissioner wrote to Regional Commissioner on November 7 stating that government land was not available at Harugeri.

He suggested that Mr. Mallikarjun could be rehabilitated in Jamkhandi taluk of Bagalkot district if the latter was willing to do so.

Even former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had promised and directed the authorities to rehabilitate him expeditiously.

He said although justice did not appear to be in sight yet, he was hurt with the attitude of the Karnataka State SC/ST Commission Chairman, Nehru C. Olekar.

When he presented his case before Mr. Olekar, who was in Belgaum to review progress made in the 18 per cent development programme for SCs and STs on Wednesday, the latter sympathised with him and his family and promised to discuss the issue with Deputy Commissioner M.E. Shivalingamurthy. But later Mr. Olekar asked him to return to the tent and promised to see him there. After posing for television cameras and press photographers, Mr. Olekar left the venue and made him run around.

Finally, moments before leaving Circuit House for Bangalore, Mr. Olekar expressed his helplessness stating that he could not do anything because there was no elected government.

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