Dalit outfit demands apology from Kumaraswamy over remarks against Priyank Kharge

The Karnataka State Scheduled Caste Right Communities Federation has condemned Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s alleged derogatory remarks against Home Minister Priyank Kharge and demanded that he tender a public apology.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi city, the federation’s district unit president, Mahadev Mogha, alleged that Mr. Kumaraswamy had made personal remarks targeting Mr. Kharge’s caste identity and questioning the reservation system.

Mr. Mogha said the remarks had hurt the sentiments of not only the Scheduled Caste communities but the wider Dalit community. Referring to the constitutional principles of equality and social justice, he said that targeting a public representative based on caste was unacceptable; the issue went beyond party politics and concerned the dignity of the community and the principles of social justice espoused by Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

The federation demanded that Mr. Kumaraswamy apologise publicly and urged the authorities to initiate legal action under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, in accordance with the law. Federation members appealed to the Prime Minister to consider action against him in his capacity as Union Minister and Member of Parliament, and urged the Governor to take note of the remarks.

Mr. Mogha warned that organisations representing the community would launch protests across the State if Mr. Kumaraswamy failed to apologise.