Dalits demand Pejavar seer's arrest

Udupi, June 14: Members of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkar Vada) staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Monday protesting against the statement of Vishvesha Tirtha swamiji of Pejawar Math on the conversion of 2,000 Dalits into Buddhism.

DSS State unit organising convenor Prakash Byadarahalli said the claim of the swamiji that Buddhism was a part of Hinduism was false. “Buddhism treats everyone equally and emphasises on cooperative living,” he said.

Casteism was rampant in Hinduism. There were nearly 6,700 cases of atrocities on Dalits in the State but action had not been taken on these cases and the guilty were roaming free. The Pejawar seer could not digest the fact that 2,000 Dalits embraced Buddhism in Udupi on May 24.

His statement that untouchability could not be eradicated by Dalits embracing Buddhism pointed to his disappointment and cynicism. It reflected the bankruptcy of the priestly class, Mr. Byadarahalli said.

In a memorandum addressed to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and submitted at the Deputy Commissioner's Office, the DSS said the Pejawar seer should accept the fact that the Dalits were not Hindus since ancient times. He should explain how the Dalits were Hindus and why they should stay with Hinduism. The incidents at Chandragutti and Savadatti, which took place a couple of decades ago, showed how a religion could behave with its adherents. The seer should first put an end to the social evil of 'Devadasi' system. Then the seer could take up the issue of giving “Deekshe” to the Dalits.

Conversion was a right given by the Constitution. India was a secular country which treated all religions equally. The Dalits need not take lessons on religion from the Pejawar seer.

The Pejawar seer's statement that casteism could not be wiped out was unconstitutional and a provocation to disrupt social harmony. The Government should take legal action against the swamiji under the Untouchability (Offences) Act, the memorandum added.

DSS leaders Hovappa Master, Shyamraj Birti, and T. Manjunath Giliyaru were present.