British were guilty of atrocities against Dalits – Dr. Madhava Peraje

British were guilty of atrocities against Dalits – Dr. Madhava Peraje

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 8, 2012: Addressing the gathering at a seminar titled “Life of Dalits in Independent India” organized by the Karnataka Dalita Sangharsha Samithi (DSS) in Mangalore on June 8, Sunday, Dr. Madhava Peraje, lecturer in Hampi Kannada University, said that even the British were guilty of atrocities against Dalits.

Stating that eighteenth-century records of atrocities against the Dalits by the British are available, Dr. Peraje said that a thirteenth-century inscription mentions that Dalits used to serve as commanders in the army, but were treated as slaves during British rule.

 

 

 

 

 

Rubbishing claims that the British helped Dalits get education by introducing common education, he said that Dalits had access to education just like people from the upper castes and that there are records to prove it.

Speaking on the occasion, Dharmanna Naik, former commissioner of Commercial Taxes Department, said that the condition of Dalits in India has not changed even after independence, adding that Dalits are deprived of government facilities because they do not have land ownership documents.

Stating that, although a few Dalits have climbed the social ladder and secured government jobs, majority of Dalits still fight poverty, he urged educated Dalits to work for the welfare of those who are still struggling with various problems.

 The organizers felicitated Shridhar Ullal, state award winning teacher, and Krishnappa Derebail, district president of the Mugera Samaja Seva Sangha, on this occasion.