Dalit groups in Karnataka threaten statewide protests over DC Manna land allotment

Dalit leaders in Mangaluru have announced a statewide campaign and a series of protests against the Karnataka government, accusing it of failing to issue guidelines for the allotment of 'DC Manna' (depressed classes) land to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Speaking to reporters, Ramesh Kotiyan, Raghu K. Yekkar and Ashok Konchady of the Dalit Samanvaya Samiti said the government has been promising draft rules for the allotment of such land for the past nine years without delivering on them. They also alleged that no action has been taken against wealthy individuals who have illegally occupied DC Manna land.

The leaders said Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan recently assured Dalit representatives that allotment would begin once the State government approves the proposed allocation of five cents of DC Manna sites in urban areas and one acre of cultivable DC Manna land in rural areas.

District in-charge Minister U.T. Khader, they added, had promised to secure approval for the allotment during the Mangaluru cabinet meeting on September 18. No action has followed, which the leaders said gives the impression that the government is shielding wealthy illegal occupants of DC Manna land.

The allotment of DC Manna land was among the promises made by the ruling Congress in its election manifesto.

Besides the statewide campaign and protests, the Dalit leaders said they will stage demonstrations in front of venues where Mr. Khader participates in future events.