The Sampadak Express News Desk
The Karnataka State Scheduled Caste Right Communities Federation has demanded a public apology from Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over alleged derogatory remarks against Home Minister Priyank Kharge, and called for legal action under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, according to The Hindu.
Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi, federation district unit president Mahadev Mogha alleged that Mr. Kumaraswamy made personal comments targeting Mr. Kharge’s caste identity and questioned the reservation system. He said the remarks had hurt the sentiments of Scheduled Caste groups and the wider Dalit community.
Mr. Mogha invoked constitutional principles of equality and social justice, stating that targeting an elected representative on caste grounds was unacceptable. He said the issue transcended party politics and touched upon the dignity of the community and the social justice ideals associated with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
The federation urged authorities to initiate proceedings in accordance with the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It also appealed to the Prime Minister to consider action against Mr. Kumaraswamy in his capacity as a Union Minister and Member of Parliament, and asked the Governor to take note of the alleged remarks.
The federation warned that organisations representing the community would launch statewide protests if Mr. Kumaraswamy failed to apologise.
