Dalit thinkers urge Dalit MLAs to unite for chief minister post in Karnataka
Members of the Dalit Thinkers’ Forum have urged Dalit legislators to unite and strongly demand the Chief Minister’s post for a leader from their community.
Bengaluru: Amid ongoing political discussions over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, members of the Dalit Thinkers’ Forum have urged Dalit legislators to unite and strongly demand the Chief Minister’s post for a leader from their community.
The demand was raised during a state-level seminar held in the city on Monday to discuss the challenges faced by Dalit communities in achieving political leadership and the future course of action to ensure social justice and representation. Speakers at the seminar said Dalit leaders in the state have long been denied the opportunity to lead the government despite having capable leaders.
“Dalit MLAs must raise their voice in unison if they want a leader from the community to become Chief Minister. If the opportunity is missed now, it may become even more difficult in the future,” members of the forum said in a resolution passed during the event. Participants criticized what they described as the “silent stance” of Dalit legislators, stating that such silence weakens the community’s political aspirations.
“The continued silence of Dalit MLAs is pushing the community into political helplessness. They must move beyond hesitation and raise the flag of self-respect,” the resolution stated. Former minister B. T. Lalitha Naik, who inaugurated the seminar, said several Dalit leaders in the state have the capability to lead Karnataka but have been deprived of the opportunity for decades.
“There are many capable Dalit leaders who can successfully lead Karnataka. Giving the Chief Minister’s post to a Dalit leader will strengthen self-respect among oppressed communities,” she said. Social thinker M. Narayanaswamy recalled that several prominent Dalit leaders in the past had the potential to become Chief Minister but never received the chance.
He mentioned leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, K. H. Muniyappa, G. Parameshwara, H. C. Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi as deserving candidates who could lead the state. Activist Y. Mariswamy said that major political parties including the Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) have not given adequate leadership opportunities to Dalit politicians.
“Despite speaking about social justice, no party has seriously considered a Dalit leader for the Chief Minister’s post in Karnataka,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dalit organizations also urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to make a clear announcement supporting a Dalit Chief Minister in Karnataka. Leaders at the event said the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister is not new and insisted that the opportunity should be given if leadership changes take place in the state.
