Date:30/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103054880500.htm

Karnataka

Ambedkar portrait defiled

Staff Correspondent

KOLAR: The alleged defilement of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s portrait at Jannaghatta village in Kolar taluk, under Rural police limits, caused tension in the area on Wednesday.

In the morning, a garland of footwear was found hanging on the painting, which was put up in the Dalit colony.

The local people and Dalit Sangharsha Samiti activists staged a protest urging immediate arrest of the accused. The protesters withdrew the stir following an assurance by Superintendent of Police K.P. Puttaswamy that the accused would be arrested soon. Four youth belonging to “upper castes”, allegedly involved in the incident, were absconding sources said. Activists owing allegiance to the DSS (N. Murthy faction), All India Dalit Action Committee and Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti formed a human chain at Mekke Circle in Kolar town. The situation in the area was peaceful, Mr. Puttaswamy said.