MANGALORE : “ There is no issue in this world which is not related to journalism. This being the fact the allegation that the MCJ lecturer of Mangalore University Umeshchandra was speaking on aspects not relating to journalism, is baseless,” said noted thinker Deekayya.
He was addressing a symbolic protest organized by the Federation of DK District SC, ST organizations in front of the VC’s office at Mangalore University on Wednesday, opposing the apathy of the University Syndicate with regard to the ploy against lecturer Umeshchandra, with due instigation from the Vijaya Karnataka editor Vishweshwar Bhat.The protest was participated by over 200 Dalits though it was not pre-planned but was organized only after gathering hint that a special Syndicate meet had been convened just to take action against Umeshchandra.
Deekayya further said “ We would not have protested if there was an allegation that Umeshchandra was not conducting his classes properly and he was not capable of conducting classes. But the agitating students have made no such allegation. Even the notice served by the University to Umeshchandra has no mention of such an allegation. This protest has been organized opposing the harassment meted out to Umeshchandra by staging a protest against him by stating that he was speaking on constitution, and was speaking about Ambedkar, Basavanna and on the divide created between communities in the name of Hindutva.”
Deekayya further pointed out that the MP Nalin Kumar himself sat on protest along with the agitating students even when the students were ready to attend classes after Syndicate meeting warned them of disciplinary action This, he said, revealed the anti-Dalit policies of the BJP.
Nirmal Kumar, District President of the Federation, who also addressed the agitators, said the Mangalore University was pursuing queer policies and added the vice chancellor who had accepted a complaint lodged by Umeshchandra against Vijaya Karnataka editor Vishweshwar Bhat and MCJ lecturer KV Nagaraj, instead of initiating action against those who brought disrepute to the university had only served notice to Umeshchandra illegally.”
The protest was attended by the teaching and non-teaching staff of Mangalore University too. Dalit leaders including SP Anand, District Convenor of Karnataka Dalita Sangharsha Samithi (Ambedkar), Krishnananda D, of DSS(Krishnappa), Kantappa Alangar, District President of the Federation of SC ST associations, took part in the protest
Even the Komu Sauharda Vedike has backed the stir of the Dalit organizations.
Charter of Demands

• To take steps to see that communal forces did not sneak into the university campus.
• To register cases against students who locked the classroom during the protest.
• To dismiss the agitating students and to vacate them from the place.
• To suspend Shivaram, MCJ lecturer who was instigating the boycott of classes.
• To suspend Nagaraj, MCJ lecturer who is an accused in a criminal case and to arrest him.
• To arrest Vijaya Karnataka editor Vishweshwar Bhat responsible for the protest inside the campus.
• To provide suitable protection to Umeshchandra who is facing threat to his life.

Related news:

1. Complaint against Umeshchandra had no signature !
2. SC, ST Fedn complains to governor
3. Vijaya Karnataka declares transfer of Umeshchandra as its ‘Vijaya’
4. No lessons on untouchability, superstitions! MCJ students express ire
5. “ Kaveriappa, Vishweshwar Bhat connived to target SC lecturer”