(Committee constituting Educationists and Human rights activists)
(for contacts: 9444120582, 9444214175,9443439869)
The incidence took place on the 12th of this month shook the people of Tamilnadu as a whole. It ought to be taken cognizance of that these incidents have taken place purely based on casteist lines. The repeated display of the clippings in the electronic media and the print media expressed that in the whole caste clash that took place one particular community students beat down other community students violently. On the overview even if it appeared to be entirely true, this was only part of the whole truth. The problem is deep rooted. Without understanding the caste groups and the casteist feelings that prevail in the law college campus one cannot understand truth in its entirity.
With reference to this, the law college students, staff and the social activists drew our attention to this issue. To collect the complete facts regarding the issue a committee consisting of the educationists and the human rights activists was formed. The team was constituted with the following members:
1) Professor A. Marx (Peoples Union of Human Rights)
2) Advocate Rajini (Peoples
3) Thai. Kandasamy (Peoples
4) Advocate K.Kesavan ( Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties)
5) Advocate Sujatha ( Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties)
6) Advocate Manoharan( International Association of Peoples Lawyers)
7) Professor Sivakumar( Rtd. Principal,
8) Professor Santhosam
9) Professor Lenin(
10) Jerome Samraj( Student, Ayothidasar Reasearch centre)
11) R. Revathy( Women’s meet)
12) Advocate Raghavan.
On 18th and 19th the team met Bharathi Kannan, s/o Karuppaiah Thevar ( IV year), Devakottai, Ayyadurai, s/o Mariappa Thevar (II year), Sankaran Koil, Arumugam, s/o Kamaraj, Thirubvammamalai(III year) who are all undergoing treatment at govt. medical Hospital, Chennai and Chitraiselvan, s/o Kuppusamy, Pattukottai(IV year) who is being treated at Royapettah Govt. Medical Hospital and Dalit Students Premkumar, Ilayaraja, Asok, Gokul Raj, kanagaraj, Gopala Krishnan, Siva. Kathiravan, P. Govindan, V. Govindan, who are incarcerated at Puzhal prison and the newly appointed Principal for the Ambedkar law college Mohammaed Iqbal, the professors who were direct witness to the incidence of violence at the law college, Rtd. Scientist Gopal and Advocate Rajinikanth who happened to be present there when the incident took place. The team also met the Asst. Commissioner Balachandran and spoke to him. It also met Inspector Jayakodi over phone. The team also met the parents of the victims.
Background details:
There have been frequent clashes amongst students of the Chennai Ambedkar law college in the past few years. In addition to the direct caste clash there have also been clashes between the hostellers and non-hostellers. The majority of those staying in the hostels belong to SC (149 persons) and BCs (7 persons) community. Caste plays a primary role in all these clashes. For example, the clash between the hostellers and others has to be seen as caste clash only.
In this circumstance, in the past few years there was a caste based organization formed within the law college premises. So far there used to be only organizations belonging to political parties and not caste based organisations amongst the students. The ornaisation named ‘Mukkulathor Manavar Peravai’ was run with the support from outside from the Thevar Peravai. This organization used to celebrate the birthday of Muthuramalinga thevar, October 30th as ‘Thevar Jayanthi’. On this occasion posters and notices with slogans whipping up the communal feelings used to be printed and these consciously omitted the name of ‘Dr. Ambedkar’ in their printing while denoting the college name. The college name used to be shown as Chennai Law College Instead Of Dr. Ambedkar Chennai Law College as such. The college authorities never bothered about this deletion. This evoked anger and sober amongst the Dalit students. In every celebrations in the college there used to be a practice of garlanding Dr. Ambedkar’s statue. But during Thevar Jayan when the students come on procession they wantonly neglect this practice.
In the meantime when the seniors were ragging in the sense of making witting statements etc. last year with the juniors, there was a peculiar incident that took place. One Vijay Pradeep warned the seniors ‘not to play with him unnecessarily without knowing his background. He claimed that his uncle is the accused RAmar of the famous Melavalavu Murugesan Murder. On this both sides got enraged. Vijay Pradeep became the prime person in organizing the students based on caste. He was a prime person behind the violence that took place on 12th and the same was confirmed by the staff who witnessed the violence on 12th.
This year as well during the Thevar Jayanthi celebrations on 30th October posters were displayed all around. While denoting the name of the college Dr. Ambedkar’s name had been omitted while the posters had been printed. Students belonging to Mukkulathor Students federation claim that few dalit students, enraged by this, had torn off one or two posters. Dalit students deny the charges. Whatever be the case, there was a scuffle that ensued on that day between these two groups. Subsequently other students have threatened the dalit students warning them ‘you will be beaten up if you came for the exams. We will break your legs’.
One has to understand the following facts. Dalit students would primarily mean those dalit students staying in the hostel. Since they all stay in the same complex together there is a good coherence of understanding between them. They debate, discuss and share everything together. Hence, even in the caste clash that took place they became the targets. The students who have been victim and admitted in the hospital and who took up this issue, Shri Chitraiselvan and the other two students who have been beaten up and admitted in the hospital Shri Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam had previous enmity. Based on a complaint filed by Chitraiselvan two years back, there is a PCR case pending on Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam over an attack on him. Bharathikannan has obtained an anticipatory bail on this. Arumugam told this committee that there is a case pending on him. This year of the total 11 cases filed on the law college students, Bharathikannan is involved in 3 cases as per the Inspector of Police Shri Jayakodi. He affirmed this to our committee.
On November 5th, when the exams started, fearing assault, few hostel (dalit) students did not come to write the exam. Some who braved the situation were threatened by Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam who are in the hospital beaten up in the clash. On 7th November, four dalit students named Meganathan, Sivaraj, Raja and Ezhumalai were beaten up at the Bus Stand. It is learnt that in addition to Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam, Shri Ayyadurai, Vijay Pradeep, Thirulogeswaran, Sukumaran were involved in this assault on the dalit students. Dalit students seem to have discussed this matter in the hostel. They decided not to go in for police complaint during the exam time. They also decided to give protection to the dalit students who went for the exams.
Everyday Bharathi Kannan was prowling with daggers and knives. This was confirmed to the committee by the staff and professors of the law college. It is also to be noted that Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam did not have exams this time. There were instances of intervention to save the situation by some staff and professors of the
November 12th incident:
When Bharathi Kannan and his group threatened the students who came for writing the exams, professors and Principal Sridev had gone and driven them away. In the meantime dalit students staying in the hostel knew of the situation and more than 40 of them came along with logs etc to the college. That they did not possess any lethal weapons with them was confirmed to the team by the professors.
In the meantime college authorities have closed the entrance of the college. The students came from hostels entered forcibly the college campus by pushing open the college gate. When the professors and principals intervened they answered that they had come only to defend for the students who came there for writing the exams and they had no intention to attack anybody.
Perturbed by this, the college authorities approached the support from the police authorities. College principal also had submitted a written request to the Esplanade police station. He even went in person and gave the complaint when the situation was becoming tense. The presently suspended Asstt Commissioner Shri Narayana Moorthy, gave the numbers of Paul Kangaraj, President, Advocated Asociation, Chennai High Court and Armstrong, a BSP leader and asked the principal to contact them to pacify the situation. Principal tried to save the situation by contacting them. And on the principal’s request Advocate Rajanikanth also spoke to the dalit students. Scientist gopal was also present at that time. The students informed them that they had come only for defence. When they had returned back, Gopal saw the two students jumping in to the college campus and sharpening their daggers.
In the meantime Ayyadurai came out after writing the exams. Since he was already involved in thrashing the dalit students he was beaten up. However he did not bring any lethal weapons that day. Since the dalit students felt he did not have the intention to attack they gave him water, pacified him and sent him off. This was confirmed by the Advocate Prakash who had come to drop his daughter safely for the exams. Other teaching staff also confirmed this.
In this context only, Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam came rushing towards the students. Bharathi Kannan rushing towards the students, holding the daggers is recorded in the electronic media. When the team went, it was told that he was in a deleterious state. His parents spoke to the team. Arumugam who spoke to the team accepted that they two had daggers in their possession at that time. He told that since they heard that Ayyadurai was beaten up, they came for his rescue. When Bharathi Kannan rushed towards the dalit students scolding them in harsh (vulgar) language the dalit students ran helter shelter.
The previous enmity between Chitraiselvan and Bharathi Kannan is narrated already in this. Both Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam attacked Citraiselvan. On seeing Chitaiselvan fall with injury on his head and over his body, the dalit students rushed back with logs to attack the two. With the daggers falling off from their hands the two could not resist the attack on them by the dalit students who beat them with the logs. This was shown in the electronic media and everyone is witness to that. The police authorities did no efforts to stop or disperse the crowd. This was also clear from the visual media.
Present situation:
With reference to the Nov. 12th incident three cases have been filed:
1) On 8 dalit students and ‘others’ cases have been framed in the case related with Cr. No. 1371/2008. So far, 23 students have been arrested and put in Puzhal prison and Saidapet sub jail. Chitrai Selvan being treated in the hospital has already been arrested. IPC 147,148, 307(attempt to murder), 506(2) (threat to attack) has been foisted on him.
2) On the complaint filed by Chitrai Selvan, cases have been registered on Bharathi Kannan and Arumugam under Cr. No. 1372/2008. No one is included as ‘others’. The case under IPC 506(2)( threat to attack) has been filed. Nobody has so far been arrested.
3) On Cr. No. 1373/2008, on the complaint filed by the principal 14 students have been arrested.
Government has taken action by suitably transferring some and suspending some others. The principal has been suspended. A commission of enquiry headed by a Rtd. Judge Shri Shanmugam has been constituted by the government.
Our findings:
1) The functioning of the caste based organizations with in the college premises is a cause for concern. The violence that took place on the 12th of November ought to be condemned. But the same cannot be viewed in its isolation. It has to be understood in the background of the past incidents that prevailed.
2) Caste organizations should not be allowed to flourish with in the college campus.That also omitting Dr. Ambedkar’s name while printing independent notices or posters and pasting it near the college should have been taken cognizance of by the college authorities and curbed at the early instance itself. College authorities should have sorted out the issue by adopting the procedures like counseling the students whenever disputes arise amongst students, if necessary call for a tripartite meeting with the parent, teacher and the police authorities and when not complying with the consensus taking appropriate action on the violators.
3) The police authorities take the excuse that the college authorities did not allow them inside the campus. But the college authorities claim that a written request for the intervention was placed with the police. When the team enquired about this to the investigating officer, Inspector Jayakodi he did not have any knowledge of this. But he said he went and took the students who were beaten up, the attitude of the police in watching a cognizable offence taking place before their own eyes as a bystander is highly a cause for concern. There need to be no permission or orders to stop a cognizable offence taking place in public.
4) All the govt. colleges especially the govt. law colleges are just an extension of the village atmosphere. The caste feelings that exist in the village prevail even within the college campus. Not only in
5) Govt. colleges and the govt. law colleges are neglected by the government. The vacancy in teaching staff posts are not filled upon properly. Hence the students are not completely engaged in the classes. When the classes are not taken, the students stay outside assembling with in the campus. This invariably leads to some avoidable disputes. At present there is 55 posts unfilled in the law college, Chennai. At the same time, elite schools run by the government function well with full strength. When this clash took place in the law college it is everyone’s knowledge that the principal was posted only temporarily. The principal in charge cannot take firm action on any situation is very well known.
6) Few years back there was a commission appointed to go into the clashes that took place in the hostel. Its recommendations were submitted to the government. The recommendation to appoint a permanent hostel warden is yet to be fulfilled.
7) To block the students from writing the exams that would affect the future of the students is a serious matter. The college authorities should have taken note of this. The professors could not give proper details on how many students failed to attend the exam due to such a threat.
8) Government and the police authorities are approaching the problem in a reductionist way. They have resorted to indiscriminate arrest of any dalit student. The student named Gokul Raj of
Recommendations:
1) Functioning of the caste based organizations with in the college campus should be curbed forth with. There has to be a ban on the functioning, issuance of pamphlets, posters in the name of such organizations within the college campus. College names should be printed only in a recognized form. Any attempt to delete Dr. Ambedkar’s name by any one in denoting the college’s name should be made punishable.
2) Based on this issue there is a demand being raised to remove Dr. Ambedkar’s name in the naming of
3) Even in The Coimbatore Law College such an issue prevails. The students coming for the exams have been attacked there. Government and the college authorities should take necessary preventive steps to stop recurrence of violence.
4) The steps government has taken so far is one sided. While Chitraiselvan has been attacked on his head, his ears are torn, it has not so far taken action on IPC 307 on those who attacked him. They have not been arrested yet. No action has been taken so far on the students belonging to the Caste organization that operated from behind. This is highly condemnable. Government must take corrective measures immediately.
5) Stop forth with harassing the family members in the name of search operation to nab the absconding students. All hose innocent students, especially Gokul Raj of the Tirupathi college should be released forthwith.
6) The vacancy in the teaching staff posts should be filed forthwith. The exams that have been stalled due to this violence should be conducted immediately. Those students who could not attend the exams due to threat of attack or fear should be provided fair chance to attend the exam. Permanent counseling committee and peace committee should be constituted. Full fledged hostel warden should be appointed.
7) It should be enquired Why the police authorities failed to take action even when the written complaint was lodged with them by the principal. It is understood that the same police authorities that gave the contact no. of BSP leader Armstrong to pacify the students is planning to arrest him. It would be erratic if this is being done on the insistence of other caste organizations. The government should enquire in to this.
8) In the pattern of ‘House Surgeon’ course adopted for the medical students in their final years, the law students should also be provided with internship course at various legal cells and high court registry in their final years (III year and V year) with stipend.
9) The students lodged in the Saidapet sub jail should be shifted to Puzhal prison immediately.
Chennai
By
Kumari Mayawati
National President
Bahujan Samaj Party
Brothers and Sisters,
It is well known to every one the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is the only party in the country, which “believes in doing rather than saying“.
It is for this reason that our party, unlike other parties, does not release any tempting “Election Manifestoes” and instead, issues “Appeal” to the people in general and voters in particular to ensure their vote and support for BSP in order to fulfill the remaining commitments for completing its missionary goal by adopting the path shown by Saints, Gurus and Mahapurush (Great men) born in different periods in the Bahujan Samaj like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Chatrapati Sahu Maharaj, Narayana Guru, Periyar Ramaswamy Ji, Baba Saheb Dr.Ambedkar and more recently Manyawar Shri Kanshi Ram ji.
This we do with an aim to earn good results for the party in the elections and to achieve power to rule so that with the help of the “Master Key of Political Power” we become master of our own destiny and could ensure work and proper welfare of the poor, deprived and downtrodden sections of the society belonging to all castes and religions i.e.”Sarv Samaj”. Param pujya Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar has beautifully and wonderfully explained about the significance of the “Master Key of the Political Power”, declaring that the political power is such a “Master Key” through which all problems can be solved and also doors of progress and prosperity can be opened up.
Following this principle of Babasaheb Dr.Ambedkar, our party is contesting, on its’ own strength, KARNATAKA Legislative Assembly General Elections-2008. The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has a total number of 224 seats and the BSP is contesting on almost all the seats on its own. BSP has not at all entered into any kind of alliance or seat adjustments with any other party in this election. So, we are fighting this election on all seats on our own.
But, the pertinent question which arises here is, as to why there is a necessity for the people of the State of < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />
In this regard, I am of the view that BSP is the only Party in the country whose “Principles & Policies” and also its “style of functioning” suits very much the interests of the people belonging to “Sarv Samaj” (all sections of the society). On the other hand, other political parties make too many promises to people just before the elections or in the election year but they never translate them into reality for the true welfare of them, leaving most of their lofty electoral promises confined to papers only, rather than getting them implemented in practical terms.
It is for this very reason that, even after 60 years of independence, the “Social and Economic” condition of people belonging to Bahujan Samaj, which comprises of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Class (OBCs) and Religious Minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Buddhists have not significantly improved due to faulty economic policies adopted by various governments of castiest leaders of different political parties, even though the population of these sections of society is very large and for this reason , we call them as “Bahujan Samaj”.
Here, I am especially talking about their wrong and erratic economic policies, mainly because at the centre as well as in most of the States, Governments’ were formed with the monetary or otherwise help of big capitalist powers and for this very reason, these parties, after coming to power, as a “return gift” to them formulated their “Economic Policies” in subservience of these capitalists, fully ignoring the interests and welfare of general public.
Due to this kind of unjust behaviour of the governments of Congress, BJP and their supporting parties, the economic condition of people belonging to Bahujan Samaj as well as poor people of “Savarn Samaj” i.e. the upper castes is turning from bad to worse. The malice is still continuing, rendering more and more such people unemployed and live a life under the darkness of poverty.
In view of the complexity and seriousness of such kind of problems, these deprived and exploited sections of the people revolted in such a manner to form a separate political party of their own called as (the Bahujan Samaj Party-BSP) under the leadership of Manyawar Shri Kanshi Ram Ji on April, 1984, basing its ideology on policy and programs of Great Baba sahib Dr. Ambedkar. And quiet obviously, with the massive support and cooperation of all the sections of the society, the BSP has acquired a “National Status” and has grown enough to be officially by the Election Commission of India as one of the main national political parties of
Not only this, our party also gradually expanded its mass base and graduated to send its representatives in Parliament, apart from winning assembly elections in various States of the Country. In Uttar Pradesh, which is the biggest State of India in terms of the size of the population, the BSP under the leader ship of mine had formed government four times. And all the four times, the governments of our party has worked with full devotion and dedication to provide “justice” to all, besides giving impetus and dynamism to the issue of ”Development” in the State.
Giving priority to weaker sections of the society in the process, with an aim to improve “Social and Economic” condition of the underprivileged sections of the society and poor people belonging to Sarv Samaj, our party Government in Uttar Pradesh, for the first time in the country, constituted separate “Welfare” Departments” in 1995 right at the inception of the first BSP government.
And the aspect of development were given new meaning when 25,000 villages, having predominantly Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa i.e. the Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs) population, were selected for “Dr.Ambedkar Village Development Scheme” to develop them fully with all kind of basic amenities and infrastructure facilities. The process is going on and gradually all the villages of the State will be taken for such kind of developmental activities all over the State, surely changing the very face and of course the life of the rural poor in real terms. Presently, however, the name of this scheme has been changed as “Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar U.P. Gramsabha Samagra Vikas Yojana (Gramsabha Integrated Development Scheme.)”.
Similarly, an ambitious “Urban Integrated Development Scheme” has been formulated in the name of “Manyawar Shri Kanshi Ram Ji”. Under this scheme, small towns and cities of Uttar Pradesh are being developed in a systematic manner and within time bound period. But under both these schemes, all the activities are being speeded up as much as the economic condition of the State allows. These developmental activities could well get further momentum and much speed if the Central Government fulfills its obligations of providing funds for the purpose.
Apart of this, priority has been accorded especially to Original Inhabitants of Jambudvipa i.e. The Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs) and other exploited sections of the “Sarv Samaj” in all other developmental activities. The homeless and poor people were allotted vacant land, besides possession has also been ensured to landless poor for the purpose of farming/agriculture on that land. About 20 lakh poor people have so far been benefited from this decision of the government in the State, and this work is still continuously in progress.
In addition, my government has taken an unprecedented and historic decision to provide with more than one lakh permanent government jobs in rural areas for the Valmiki community of Scheduled Castes. By this decision, all the 1.08 lakh revenue
And, so far the issue of giving boost to education is concerned, the government of our party, for the first time in the country, took a policy decision to grant scholarship to the children of persons belonging to poor Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and also to poor children of Other Backward Classes and Religious Minorities, especially to the poor children belonging to Muslim community.
The scholarship amount has also been doubled in view of the rising inflation and cost of living; besides that the amount of scholarship is being distributed to students immediately after their admission. Our government also arranged free coaching to ensure their admissions in the prestigious institutions and for high-grade prestigious jobs like IAS, IPS. PCS etc.
Along with the above facilities, for the first time in the State, 25% of the State budget has been allocated separately for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State.
Besides, in order to infuse the sense of security among the people belonging to Bahujan Samaj, a policy of reservation has been introduced for the first time in the postings at the police stations in each and every district. Under the new provision, police officers belonging to SC/STs, for the first time in the country, will be getting 25 percent of such posts of police station will go to the people belonging to OBCs and 5 percent to officers from Religious Minorities (Muslims) in all the districts of the State. This system of governance is still continuing in the State with a slight modification.
And especially, full care has been made towards protecting, in all spheres of life, the interests and welfare of the Muslims, which is the largest section of Religious Minorities in the State. Apart from their economic development, the safety and security of their lives and Religion has also been fully ensured. In addition, our government was first in the country ensuring government jobs to economically weaker Muslims by including them in category of other Backward Classes (OBCs) and issuing government order facilitating release of caste certificates accordingly.
“New Positive Reservation Initiatives”
In The Interest of Sarv Samaj
You know very well that “where there is will, there is way.” That is why for the first time in the country, the BSP government of Uttar Pradesh has taken “ New Positive Reservation Initiatives”
In The Interest of Sarv Samaj i.e. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (OBC), Religious Minorities and Upper caste, for it is more than evident that the benefit of reservation, which was provided on account of the untiring efforts of Param Pujya Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimarao Ambedkar, to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in the Government jobs under the Constitution of India, was not reaching fully to the dire needy people because of anti-reservation attitude of the Congress, BJP and their supporting parties.
Not only this, various Government Departments and Institutions are being handed over to the Private Sectors for the past several years on the pretext of poor economic condition of the government, without ensuring provision of the same kind of reservation in the privatised firm/sector at any level. And, if this current state of affairs/practice of handing over the government departments and Institutions to Private Sector continues, a day will come when the constitutional facility of reservation will cease to exist.
Taking this issue of great importance very seriously, the Government of my party in Uttar Pradesh wrote several letters to the Government of India and requested that before the privatization of various Government and public sector institutions, the same quantum of reservation for those sections of society should be ensured as they were already getting in the Government sector and institutions. But no Government of any party has so far acceded to our contention and our party is “seriously concerned” and “worried” about this issue.
But the people belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Schedule Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will be happy to know that throughout the country, it is only the Government of my party, the BSP in Uttar Pradesh which was fulfilled these tasks, which are as follows:
· Public-Private-Partnership (P.P.P.) is the main component of “all inclusive” realistic and practical economic policy of my government in Uttar Pradesh.
· All the Schemes/projects/industries with partnership with state government, the State Government would have a maximum partnership of 49 percent of 11 percent.
· The provision of job reservation in enterprises developed on Public-Private Partnership model will continue in the proportion and manner as the State Government has been providing quota which is in the government jobs 21 percent for Scheduled Castes, 02 percent for Scheduled Tribes and 27 percent for Other Backward Classes.
· The interests of employees will be fully safeguarded in the projects/enterprises established under PPP model.
· Now along with this, the Uttar Pradesh Government of my party has applied the policy of “Sarvjan Hitai –Sarvjan Sukhai” (Progress and Prosperity for all) also in the area of the reservation. In pursuance of this policy, our government has taken historical initiative to provide the benefits of reservation to all the poor and needy people belonging to all castes and the implementation of this new system has already been taken up in the right earnest in Uttar Pradesh. This step has been taken for the first time in the country.
· Under it, if the services rendered by the Govt. Departments, Corporations, Authorities, Councils and other Semi-government institutions or the maintenance of their establishment are substituted by outsourcing, then the contract to be executed for the said purpose would include the provision of providing 21 percent of jobs created through this out sourcing to the persons of Scheduled Castes, 2 percent to the persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes and 27 percent to Other Backward Classes.
· In the Industrial Units, Educational Institutions, Infrastructure/Service Sector Projects, Disinvested Units are being set up in which the private sector is provided land, subsidy, state aid or assets by the Government or any of its government departments, then as per the “voluntary” and “mutual agreement”, the employers have to provide 10 percent of the total jobs created in the projects to the persons of Scheduled Castes, 10 percent to Other Backward Classes, including Backwards of Religious Minorities and 10 percent to the economically weaker persons of the Upper Castes
· Over 30 thousand posts of backlog have so far been filled by my part’s government in Uttar Pradesh. Recruitment on remaining posts is in progress.
· Besides, it is to be clear in mind that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (prevention of atrocities) Act, 1989, has been enacted by the Government of India, hence a central act, and no State Government can make any alternation in this Act nor repeal it. The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has ensured strict enforcement of this law.
· My Government has done everything possible regarding implementation of reservation policy.
· The Government of
· We have also urged the Government of India to amend the Constitution for providing benefits of reservation to the people belonging to upper castes living below the poverty line. But, the attitude of the Congress and BJP and its supporting parties has been throughout negative.
· But for that matter, I would like to fully assure the people of upper castes that the day the government of our party come to power at the centre, they will be given the benefit of reservation, similar to the pattern which has been introduced by us in Uttar Pradesh and this will be done without their asking for it, and will also make all positive efforts for the eradication of their poverty and un-employment. And, you all know very well about the style of functioning of my party that whatever we say, we do the same. In other words, there is no difference in our party’s saying and doing.
· Besides, Adequate additional reservation should also be provided to such persons of Scheduled Castes who were converted to Muslim or Christian religion, but maintaining the present share of quota of prescribed reservation for the Scheduled Castes. For this, necessary amendment should be made in the Constitution to relax the total limit of 50 percent reservation as laid down by Hon. Supreme Court and this amendment will be included in the 9th schedule of the Constitution so that this arrangement becomes a permanent feature.
So far as the matter of providing Social Security to the people is concerned, my party’s government in Uttar Pradesh is very serious and sensitive over the issue… That is why immediately after assumption of power my government increased to double the amount of pension to old age persons and farmers from Rs.150 to Rs.300. And also the number of beneficiaries was raised to 24 lakh from 20 lakh, for which sum of Rs. 1410 crores has been earmarked in the budget.
Similarly, labourers , who belong to the poorest and weaker section of the society and mostly fall under the category of farming labour, were not being cared properly as they belong to unorganized sector, but my government has raised their daily remuneration wage to Rs.100 from a meager of Rs.58, which they were getting previously.
And, over the issue of plight of farmers and farming becoming less remunerative day by day and thereby ultimately affecting our self-reliance on food, my party is in full sympathy with the farming community. It is beyond any doubt that the governments of the Congress, the BJP and their supporting parties during their rule in the past 60 years have done a criminal act of ignoring farm and farmers. In the course of promotion of heavy industries, there was a criminal neglect of farm sectors and farmers’ requirements.
This is also a tragedy that in the course of developing heavy industries particularly in the tribal areas, where the native people were deprived even from the fourth class jobs, adding more burden on their life to ensure protection of the interests of tribals & farmers.
Besides, my government has taken a stand that the Self-esteem and Self-respect of the unemployed youth will not be ridiculed every month by providing them meager ‘unemployment allowance’. Instead, our party wants them to live with pride, as they would instead be provided permanent jobs, with the creation of job opportunities, for which Regional Rural Employment Centre will be established.
And education is another area that has been accorded top most priority by my government in Uttar Pradesh. It is with this reason a decision was taken without any delay to recruit 88,000 teachers to help improve the standards of education. The process of recruitment of such a large number teachers in just one go is on.
In addition of all these, my government has paid attention in according full respect and honour to Sants, Gurus and Mahapurush born in Bahujan Samaj at different period of times such as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj, Narayana Guru, Periar Ramaswamy, Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and more recently Manyawar Shri Kanshi Ram Ji. A number of new Districts, Universities, Memorials, Museums and other important public places and institutions have been named and erected in their name to perpetuate the memory of their hard-faught struggles.
And in this connection, you all know very well that no government, be it the government of the Congress, the BJP or their supporting parties, ever gave proper respect and regards to the Sants, Gurus and Mahapurush born in the Bahujan Samaj.
And regrettably, the castiest mentality of these political parties still persists. . The biggest proof of it is that the Congress party, ruling at the centre did not even declare one or two days holiday nor they ordered flying of national flag half mast in the mourning of Manyawar Shri Kanshi Ram Ji, the creator and founder of the BSP movement.. And the BJP and other opposition parties remained a mute spectator to all this.
In brief, the lesson to our people of all this happenings is that if the people belonging to Bahujan Samaj and those of Savarn Samaj (upper castes) living in your state of Karnataka want to create an atmosphere like that of Uttar Pradesh for leading a life full of self-esteem, respect and dignity, they will also have to capture the “Master Key of political power” in their hands by ensuring good results in the general election being held in your State.
Therefore keeping all these factual propositions in mind, I earnestly “APPEAL” to the supporters of the BSP to follow the above mentioned suggestions in order to make an all out effort to achieve party’s goal of capturing power in order to get rid of their poverty, helplessness, backwardness, unemployment, injustice and exploitation by making your own government in your State, following the true path shown to you by your messiah Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar on the basis of exercise of franchise based on the concept of “One Man-One Vote” given to you by Baba Saheb himself and thus fulfill the unfinished task of Manyawar Shri. Kanshi Ram Ji.
In other words, you should understand your Messiah’s message properly and utilize the right to vote wisely to help yourself so that you could form a government of your own party in your State which will in real terms help improve your socio-economic condition as well as of education, besides ensuring a civilized self-esteem life to you. In the meantime, this could be also help improve the economic condition of the Upper castes people.
But to create such an atmosphere in your State, you have to acquire the “Master Key of Political Power” in your hands, like people have done in the Stae of Uttar Pradesh and you will have show good result in the coming Assembly elections in your State. And to achieve this great goal of success in the assembly election, you will have to be cautious and alert from various nasty tricks and Saam-Daam-Dand-bhed like nefarious designs of the opposition parties during the elections, because these parties can go to any extent to damage our party.
And I want to warn you that these opposition parties will go all out and will make all efforts to sabotage the voting of Savarn Samaj inn favour of BSP and for this purpose , these parties will propagate our “Ideology and Principles” in a wrong, vicious and twisted manner among these sections of society.
Therefore, I consider it important to explain the ideology and principles of B.S.P. I would also like to clarify here that the ideology and principles of our party “are not against any caste or creed”. B.S.P. wants to change the unequal social order of this country based on “caste” and wants to establish here a “Samatamulak Samaj Vyavastha” ( A Social Order based on Equality), which is in the interest of this country and Sarv Samaj.
Bangalore: She may not be a very common face in Karnataka, but UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s maya is catching on.
The Bahujan Samaj Party plans to contest in all the 224 constituencies this election and Mayawati will be going on four campaign tours across Karnataka.
Last time she visited the state in December, she gathered huge crowds.
BSP National General Secretary, PGR Sindhia says, “After Mayawati became CM, I’ve found even upper caste communities - Vokkaligas, Veerashaivas, Brahmins - are favouring the BSP. Once against BSP, now they’re not hostile anymore.”
The BSP has never won a single seat in Karnataka in the past. But the party is seen as a threat to Congress prospects.
Most analysts say that in the last elections the Congress lost nearly 40 seats because the BSP spilt the Dalit vote.
The Congress is on the defensive.
“All votes that BSP gets is not Congress votes alone. There are the independent votes, the BJP votes other parties too. That does not mean, one political party contesting as a candidate they can defeat Congress alone. They can defeat other parties too,” says AICC Secretary, Vayalar Ravi
Agrees Karnataka Congress President, Mallikarjuna Kharge, “There’s no question of gaining more. Either they may retain that base or it will be reduced further.”
The BSP on its part is looking at Karnataka to get a foothold in the south.
Earlier Karnataka has always seen a three-cornered battle between the Congress, the BJP and the JD(S).
But the BSP factor could now add a new dimension - splitting votes and even leading to another hung Assembly.
Politics has proved time and again in this state that king-makers can be more powerful than kings themselves.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mayas-maya-casts-spell-on-karnataka-cong-worries/63794-3.html
By Ravikiran Shinde
18 April, 2008
Jat leader Mahendra Singh Tikait finally surrendered meekly before the court after resisting arrest by UP Police. The dust has finally settled two weeks after his castiest remarks but it has raised a serious question. How ‘normal’ is the casteist abuse in day to day life of Dalits? If a chief minister can be abused publicly, what does it speak of common Dalits?
Here’s the UP recap. A 73-year old farmers’ leader Tikait stuns everyone when he abuses UP chief minister Mayawati by her caste in a public rally and attracts punishment under the SC/ST (prevention) Act. All Political parties barring CPM’s Brinda Karat either keep mum or support Tikait. Home minister of State Jaiswal supports Tikait on this issue. No condemnation of Tikait comes from Congress or the BJP.
The stage was set for the UP CM to act vengeance treating this as a personal matter. But she did not do a Jayalalitha to handcuff the ageing leader from his home in the wee hours. Instead, she followed the shrewd strategy. When BKU leader defied arrest in Sisauli, she surrounded the village with police. Faced with a pressure cooker situation, Mr. Tikait apologized for his comments calling Mayawati ‘child-like’ before surrendering.
Mayawati finally prevailed by sending right message across but what about the common Dalits who face overt and covert abuse day in and day out? Whether it is in the movies, literature, TV serials or friends circle?
Let me keep the violence and rapes on the lower castes out of the scope of this article and focus on the “soft” abuse. Ask a Dalit and he/she will tell you how prevalent it is. Scheduled castes’ names are still referred as a symbol of evil. The insult is often a sugar coated bitter pill and is so subtle, only a lower caste person will be able to identify it. The Marathi movies and plays regularly use a dialogue “Chandal-chaukadi” to denote group of four bad guys. Chambhar chaukashya (ill inquiries) is prevalent in Marathi conversation. “Mahar-wada” - the outskirts where Mahars still live - is used by the middle and upper castes to imply filthy conditions.
And then there is palpable abuse. The entire ‘elite class’ of India invariably uses words like Chandal, Bhangi, Chamar to indicate anything that is evil, unpleasant or waste. Most of them are unaware their act might result in arrest. I recall one of my well educated friends using the word “Bhangi” to tease and vex his upper-caste Hindu friend for being useless. When I confronted him on the usage of the word, he felt apologetic. But not all abusers are apologetic. The abusers have become smarter. Instead of hurling abuse straight at someone of lower caste, they use lower caste names to denote platitudes for a third person who is normally not in the conversation. But a modern India also witnessed a castiest Manager M.K Hathi of Air India abusing the aspiring hostess from Scheduled castes and tribes by commenting that untouchable’s girls were unsuitable to become air hostesses (Indian Express, 19th Feb 2004).
Students in top institutions admitted under reservation are referred by an abusive word “scheddu” (short form of Scheduled Caste) in top educational institutions in India. Those in the Government jobs are privately pronounced as “son-in-laws” of the Government. In a shocking report submitted to the union government on caste apartheid in AIIMS- India’s premier institute, the Sukhdeo Thorat committee has found that each and every Dalit student in the institute has been a victim of caste-based ragging, abuse and isolation (The Telegraph, 7th May 2007).
Worst of all these, in villages, the abuse is blunt, straight forward and directed at Dalits in full public view and often resulting in physical assault. This is precisely what Tikait calls “just a normal village-talk” while defending his abusive hurls. The famous Kherlanji Dalit massacre is a perfect case.
Shame, our education does not teach the social necessities of respecting every human being – particularly the lower caste who had faced discrimination for centuries. Ironically, it is the professionals – the higher echelon of the society – who are the leading culprits hurling caste abuses that seem to come natural to them.
‘Harijan’ which is considered by Dalits as an insulting connotation is now banned by government of UP and Orissa. The Indian constitution recognizes SC and ST and not harijan and yet the government documents, police reports and even News media reports use this word adding insult to the injury.
It is about time we closely look at not just the law and its strict enforcement but the general awareness about caste abuse. More such high profile Tikaits’ getting ‘treated’ will really help this cause.
14th April 2008 was the 117th Birth Anniversary of Bhimrao Dr. B.R.Ambedkar. The day is celebrated as ‘Muktiparva’ (festival of liberation) by Dalits all over the country and elsewhere. Hundreds of thousands of Dalits spontaneously assemble at the Parliament House in New Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur and elsewhere to pay their tributes to Dr. Ambedkar, who championed the cause of Dalits and the marginalized. As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Indian Constitution, entrusted with the task of drafting the Constitution of free India, he ensured that the constitution guarantees equality to each citizen of India and abolished untouchability. This made social equality a fundamental right, which was denied to Dalits since centuries.
Dalits understand the importance of the Constitution and each year on this day, they have been converging in huge numbers at the Parliament since the last over half a century. However, the event goes by and large un-noticed and un-reported by the National media, both government owned and privately run. This includes newspapers and the electronic media. While there are huge full page advertisements regarding the programme issued by the government in National dailies, the reporting if at all there is; regarding the event, are a measly couple of lines. These reports mainly talk about the commemoration paid to Dr. Ambedkar by the Prime Minister and other VIPs. There is an absolute blackout of the peoples’ event that goes on concurrently at the Parliament House and its vicinity.
The convergence of the huge mass of humanity is spontaneous. Hundreds of thousands of Dalits reach the Parliament, by their own efforts. No one tells them to come nor sponsors their travel etc. to reach the venue. This kind of spontaneous expression of solidarity, reverence and oneness is not witnessed for any other mass leader in India. Parliament Street in New Delhi resembles a ‘mela’ venue on the 14th of April each year. It is also an occasion for Dalits, activists, writers and others to meet, express solidarity, have cultural programmes, buy Dalit memorabilia and literature.
The National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) presents the first ever video report on the event, giving glimpses of the event. This is what the media should have presented before you, but the ‘free’ Indian media remains shackled by corporate interests and sees no ‘news value’ of an event of celebration of liberation of the oppressed.
In the evening, NACDOR organized ‘1000 Lights of Dignity’ at the National Memorial of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, at 26 Alipur Road, Civil Lines, Delhi. Dr. Ambedkar breathed his last here and after a long struggle by Dalit groups, the Government established the memorial at this venue, after acquiring the same from a prominent corporate house paying a hefty compensation in cash and real estate.
The video report on both the events can be seen at:
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing”- Albert Einstein
The History of Reservations:
Caste Based Reservation in < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />
The Concept:
The correct term used for reservation in the Indian Constitution is Representation. Those who have benefited from reservation and are enjoying the fruits of reservation must first of all understand the true meaning of reservation. It is not given to anyone in his individual capacity. It is given to individual as a representative of the underprivileged community. The beneficiaries of reservations are in turn expected to help their communities to come up. Reservation is a democratic principle to provide representation to the castes hitherto remained unrepresented in the governance of the country.
Justice Reddy observed “While we agree that competitive skill is relevant in higher posts, we do not think it is necessary to be apologetic about reservation in posts, higher or lower, so long as the minimum requirements are satisfied.”On the other hand, we have to be apologetic that there still exists a need for reservation.”
Article16 (4) is not a poverty alleviation programme. Its singular aim is to redistribute power to those who have been kept out of the state apparatus so as to end their educational, social and economic backwardness and this class is not less than 77 ½ % of the population of the country.
-Justice P.B.Sawant.
The Intellectual Class:
Dr Ambedkar Said “In every country the intellectual class is the most influential class. The masses are largely imitative and follow the intellectual class. There is no exaggeration in saying that the entire destination of the country depends upon its intellectual class. If the intellectual class is honest and independent, it can be trusted to take the initiative and give a proper lead when a crisis arises. Similarly an intellectual class may be a band of high-souled persons, ready to help, ready to emancipate erring humanity or it may easily be a gang of crooks or a body of advocates of narrow clique from which it draws its support.
Is the Intellectual Class doing this Work?
After thorough analysis, it is observed that this intellectual class does not take active part in any such activity of change of system. Not only that, it is also observed that this intellectual class looks at the society, to which it belongs with contempt and keep themselves away from it. Dr. Ambedkar had experienced this, at the fag end of his life and therefore on 18 March 1956 at Ramlila Ground,
What the Intellectual Class Should Do?
The ethos of privatisation and the excuse of global competition, superimposed on the traditional caste prejudice, will never allow reservations to happen, any more.
Dr Ambedkar had said during a debate in parliament on the question of efficiency of governance by the system of reservation that “A representative government is better than an efficient government”
He added this on the upper castes: “It is your claim to equality which hurts them. They want to maintain the status quo. If you continue to accept your lowly status ungrudgingly, continue to remain dirty, filthy, backward, ignorant, poor and disunited, they will allow you to live in peace. The moment you start to raise your level, the conflict starts.”
Those arguing against reservation must understand that 50 years of affirmative action is nothing as compared to 3000 years of subjugation. Those crying foul over Merit know very well that there is not enough fruit in the garden hence those who are already in want to keep out those who are already out.
Those responsible for implementing the policy of Reservation must undoubtedly understand that “Reservation is neither a policy matter, a political gimmick nor a matter of Charity. It is a Constitutional Obligation”
In a country like
While the atrocities on SC-ST’s keep on rising and recorded as if they are the performance parameters of some blue chip company, While those who want to finish the whole idea of Reservation are working overtime, round the clock 365 days a year, the complacent beneficiaries are busy watching their favourite TV shows or criticizing the serious activists of the movement accusing them of selfish interests.
Dr B. R. Ambedkar had said on Tuesday July 31st 1956; at his residence
So saying, with tears rolling down his cheeks, he looked at me and I had also no alternative but to look at him with tears in my eyes. …And with a pained expression on his countenance whispered: “Take courage, don’t get upset. Life is to come to an end one day or the other.” After a little pause, wiping his tears, raising his hand a little above his glowing eyes, he said: “Tell my people Nanak Chand: Whatever I have done, I have been able to do after passing through crushing miseries and endless troubles all my life fighting with my opponents. With great difficulty, I have brought this caravan where it is seen today. Let the Caravan march on and further on despite the hurdles, pitfalls and difficulties that may come in its way. If my people, my lieutenants are not able to take the caravan ahead, they should leave it where it is seen today, but in no circumstances should they allow the Caravan to go back?”
Jaibhim and Regards
Abhay Madhukar Dongre abhay_net1@rediffmail.com
References:
Some Information has been taken in verbatim from the articles of following. I express my acknowledgements to them.
1) Questions and Answers on Reservation- Shri Jayant Ramteke
2) Shri Abhijeet Kumar N-Secretary General- ITSEWA.
3) Last Few Years of B.R .Ambedkar - Nanak Chand Rattu.
4) Writings and
The ruling Bahujan Samaj Party has won the by-elections to all five constituencies, two Lok Sabha and three Vidhan Sabha seats, which went to polls on April 12.
BSP candidate Bhismshankar alias Kushal Tiwari won the Khalilababad Lok Sabha seat by a margin of over 64,000 votes, trouncing his nearest rival Bhalchandra Yadav of Samajwadi Party, election office sources said here.
BSP nominee Akbar Ahmad Dampi won the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat defeating his nearest rival Ramakant Yadav of BJP by a margin of over 53,000 votes.
Brij Singh secured the Colonelganj Assembly seat defeating her nearest rival SP’s Yogesh Pratap Singh won by a margin of over 9,000 votes. Rajni Tiwari won Bilgram Assembly seat by over 38,000 votes, defeating SP candidate Vishram Singh.
BSP leader Rajpal Tyagi won the Moradnagar Assembly seat by a comfortable margin, defeating the Rastriya Lok Dal candidate.
In the Lok Sabha by-polls for the Betul-Harda seat, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Hemant Khandelwal defeated his Congress rival Sukhdev Panse by a margin of over 35,440 votes.
“After the 12th and final round of counting, Khandelwal defeated Panse by a margin of over 35,440 votes,” said Arun Bhatt, Returning Officer and District Magistrate of Betul.
While Khandelwal secured 3,006,74 votes, his nearest rival Congress Party’s Panse got 2,65,234 votes, sources said, adding that a total of 6,56,049 voters had exercised their franchise for the April 12 by-polls. BJP has retained the seat fifth time in a row.
In a surprise outcome, Samajwadi Party candidate Dr Suneelam, considered a tough contender, lost his deposit securing only 21,698 votes. He was placed fourth.
An independent MLA, Rewa Ram, secured a surprise third position, but lost his deposit along with other candidates.
The by poll was necessitated following the death of BJP Member of Parliament Vijay Khandelwal, whose son won the by polls today.
New Delhi: In a little park in South Delhi, the statue of Dr Ambedkar looks benevolently over the tired.
Ambedkar Nagar is where most of Delhi’s Dalits live. For those who live in this area named after India’s most famous ‘untouchable’, there is no doubt that he stands on a pedestal. In fact, for many, Dr B R Amedkar has acquired a status that rivals the father of the nation, or perhaps even bigger.
“He is just like Gandhiji,” said an Amedkar Nagar resident.
The Father of Dalits is currently topping the popularity charts across India.
While he may not be as chic as the Mahatma to be worn on a mug or a key chain, he’s still definitely in, as role model for the common man who is, today, fighting for assertion and an identity.
It is, perhaps, because of this that every time a statue of Ambedkar is vandalized, emotions run high, why lakhs of people turn up for his death anniversary, why more and more statues of him are being erected and more are commissioned to dot roads and highways.
“There is huge demand for statues of Amedkar,” says idol-maker Rajkaran Viskarma. “No one asks me to make statues of Gandhiji.”
Today Dr Ambedkar gets as many hits on Google as Gandhi. The spread of English education among the backward may has made him an even bigger icon. Kanshiram and Mayawati have also contributed to his deification.
YouTube has hundreds of videos dedicated to Ambedkar, as does Gandhi. He shares screen space with the Mahatma for India’s tourism campaigns and has an enviable following in online communities. Books on him, which would earlier gather dust, are now being printed in other languages to make him more accessible. India has found a new hero.
“Ambedkar may not be an international figure like Gandhi – not as yet – but I think he has the potential to get there soon,” said writer and social thinker, Purushottam Aggarwal.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s call for social justice has a lot more takers today and many would say that his idea of a society based on liberty, equality and fraternity is relevant now than ever before.
The Mahatma may be the Father of the Nation, but Babasaheb is possibly the architect of a new India.
With inputs from Abhishek Patni
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/ambedkar-now-bigger-than-mahatma-gandhi/63247-3.html
BANGALORE, April 14, 2008: The BSP national general secretary PGR Sindhia has stated that his party will contest for all 224 seats in the state in the elections to be held for the state assembly in May. The list he released at the capital is as follows.
N. Mahesh -Kollegal, (SC)
Shamsuddin M. Patil Ganihar -Sindhagi,
Vaijanath Suryavamshi- Aurad-(SC),
Sridhar Kalaveer -Sakleshpur (SC),
R. Muniyappa-Mahadevapura(SC),
M. Muniyappa-Devananalli (SC),
Jigani Shankar -Anekal(SC),
Parimala Nagappa -Hanuru,
V. Srinivasan -Pulikeshinagar(SC),
Sayyad Zulfikar Hashmi-Bidar,
Mundargi Nagaraj -Hagaribommanahalli(SC),
Sayyad Roshan Mullah -Shiggaon,
Chandrakantha Gaddagi -Gulburga Rural (SC),
D. Shobha Bellary Hubli-Dharwad East (SC),
Babusaheb Kasimnavar -Kalghatgi,
Umesh Hegade -Yellapura,
Panduranga Swamy -Holalkere,
Venkatesh Nayak –Molakalmuru (ST),
Varaprasad (Mandya),
R. Manjunath (Bangalore South),
J. Jayappa -Shikaripura,
M.V. Kotresh -Soraba,
A. Appayyanna -Byatarayanapura,
Vishwanath. C -Mahalakshmi Layout,
G. Bette Gowda -Yeshwanthpur,
A. Papanna -BTM Layout,
M.S. Mukram -Channapatna,
Obanna Poojar-Chellakere(ST),
H.J. Kantharaju-Hiriyur,
Mohan Kumar -Hosadurga,
Umesh -Turuvekere,
Lingaraju -Tiptur,
D. Muralidhar-Koratagere,
V. Narayanaswamy-Bangarapet(SC),
R.S. Kumar -Malur,
Sajjad-Kolar,
H. Narayanappa –Mulabagilu (SC),
N. Muniswamy-Chintamani,
Suresh –KGF(SC),
Murugan -Gandhinagar,
S.K. Sajid Ahmed-Hebbal,
K.P. Narasimharaju-Shantinagar(SC),
Venkatesh -Bommanahalli,
Vivek Menon-Sarvajnanagar,
Srinivasa Murthy -Chamarajanagar,
Nisarga Nagaraju -Malleswaram,
K.V. Srinivasappa -Rajajinagar,
Hennur Srinivas-Pavagada(SC),
Guruppaji -T. Narasipura
Mahadevappa -Nanjangud
Mr. Sindhia said the party will not have a manifesto for this election instead it would publish an appeal given to the people of Karnataka by the BSP supremo Mayawathi which would be printed in four different languages in ten lakh copies and circulated among the people of Karnataka.
Our Correspondent