Seeking to make it clear that he was not “anti-Dalit”, JD(S) MLA and former Minister G.T. Deve Gowda said that he was not opposed to the proposed nomination to the Boards of co-operative societies, but had questioned the Karnataka government’s prerogative to nominate members to the co-operative institutions that had not received any financial assistance.
Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Tuesday, Mr. Deve Gowda said he had asked the government to also include representatives from the backward classes along with members of SC/ST communities and women among the nominated members.
Mr. Gowda’s press conference was in the backdrop of protests against him by Dalit organisations over his reported opposition to the provisions of the recently passed Karnataka Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2025 during a discussion in the Legislative Assembly.
He said his opposition to certain other provisions of the piece of legislation were only aimed at protecting the autonomy or freedom of the co-operative institutions.
Further, Mr. Gowda cited several examples of his efforts to ensure prominent posts to Dalits in co-operative sectors as well as in politics. “I am not anti-Dalit. I am not casteist,” he said.
Dharmasthala case
With regard to the row over alleged mass burials at Dharmasthala, Mr. Gowda said that it was not possible to malign the reputation of an institution like the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala or its trustee Veerendra Heggade, but asked the government to ensure that the ongoing probe into the allegations is completed at the earliest.
He said it was necessary for the government, which had constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter, to complete the investigation as early as possible and punish the persons guilty.
Dasara inauguration
Speaking about the BJP’s opposition to the State government’s decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Dasara festival, Mr. Gowda said that the author will not do the same if she does not have faith in the deity of Chamundeshwari.
As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had been vested with the power to take a decision on choosing a suitable guest to inaugurate Dasara 2025, he has exercised his prerogative and chosen Ms. Mushtaq, he said.
The Hindu Bureau
Courtesy : The Hindu
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