President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s SC/ST Cell R. Dharmasena sought an apology from MLA for Vijayapura Basavaraj Patil Yatnal for his statement offending Dalit women.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Mr. Dharmasena, a former MLC, said Mr. Yatnal has stated that the right to shower flowers on Goddess Chamundeshwari vested with a ‘Sanatani’ and even an ordinary Dalit woman has no right to shower flowers on the Goddess.
Mr. Yatnal’s statement was in the context of State government inviting International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to launch this year’s Mysuru Dasara in Mysuru.
“When there was a lot of criticism over his statement, Mr. Yatnal gave a rejoinder that his statement was wrongly interpreted and that he wanted Dalit woman to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara,” Mr. Dharmasena said.
He said that Mr. Yatnal should apologise for his statement, which has hurt many Dalits. If he fails to do, then the SC/ST cell will stage protests at all public functions that will be attended by Mr. Yatnal.
Raghava M
Courtesy : The Hindu
Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights