Melanthabettu post office 'shifted', Casteist postmaster warned

Mangalore, February 6: Belthangady Circle Inspector Sudarshan said that the police have forced the postmaster of Melanthabettu village to shift the post office to a separate building and warned him against practicing casteism in the government office.

He was replying to DK SP A Subrahmanyeshwara Rao at the SC/ST grievance meet held on Sunday at SP office here.

While a Dalit representative raised his community's concern over the issue reported from Melanthabettu village of Belthangady taluk, where Dalits are allegedly denied entry into the post office, Mr Rao inquired the Inspector Sudarshan about the progress of the investigation.

According to Dalits, they were denied entry into the post office by the Brahin postmaster G Ravindra only because of their caste.

However, according to the postmaster, he did not practice casteism but did not allow anybody inside the post office only because it is located at his house, said Sudarshan who had visited the spot along with Sub Inspector Subbapur Mutt as part of the investigation.

“When we enquired him about the allegation of Dalit community, he replied that he was helpless as the office is situated inside his house” the Inspector said, adding: “That is why we forced the postmaster to change the office and warned him of strict action if the same practice was repeated in the new office.”

Describing the clarification of postmaster as “lie” a Dalit activist said that the post office was located in a separate building on the residential premises of the postmaster, and not inside his house.

SP Rao said that denying entry for a Dalit to any government office is a matter of grave concern and the police department will not neglect the allegation of practicing casteism at a post office.

“Shifting the office is not enough. It is our responsibility to investigate thoroughly into the previous allegation if somebody lodges a complaint”, he said adding that “Police would take appropriate action after consulting the postal department.”

Made Snana

When Anand S P, a member of Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkarwada) expressed his concern over the continuity of 'Made Snana' at the Kukke Subrahmanya temple, SP Rao said a thorough investigation into the issue is underway under the supervision of Puttur ASP.

He also promised to take appropriate measures to stop the much criticised ritual being practiced in the historical muzrai temple.

Phone-in facility

The reintroduction of phone-in facility after a long gap enabled the SC/ST members to air their grievances at the meeting. SP Rao directly answered the various calls from different parts of the district.