KARNATAKA-Calling the Dalit Elite to Account

witnessed a somewhat unusual protest organised by Dalit Sangarsh Samiti (DSS). The protest was against the inaction and silence of Dalit legislators, members of parliament and ministers in the face of growing atrocities against Harijans. The Samiti's representatives called upon members and sympathisers to demonstrate against the indifference of their own leaders. The pamphlet issued on the occasion explicitly singled out Dalit MPs, ministers etc, fox trenchant criticism and focused on the fact that Dalits in power had got there by virtue of using their Dalit status and had subsequently become an integral part of the establishment. The DSS demanded that Dalit ministers, MPs and legislators should boycott parliament and state legislators until those responsible for atrocities against Dalits were suitably punished; and that they should offer dharna before Parlia- meant and legislatures until all firearms and other weapons currently with the landowners were seized and Dalits armed for self-protection. The Samiti also declared that if the legislators and ministers did not comply with the demands the Samiti would be compelled to press for their resignation through strikes, etc.