AFTER the barbaric killing of scholar-writer M M Kalburgi at Dharwad on August 30, 2015, Karnataka has been witnessing an unprecedented cultural-democratic upsurge in order to put a stiff resistance to the draconian forces of religious fundamentalism. A shocked fraternity of literary and cultural fields, intellectuals and people from various sections of society did not stop at mere condemnation of the assassination of Dr.Kalburgi, but has been working persistently to build up a resistance movement to fundamentalist/obscurantist forces.

Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch’s Delhi unit had organised a protest near Uttar Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi on October 14. Activists who had gathered near the UP Bhavan for a sit-in were arrested by the Delhi police and taken to Chanakyapuri Police Station. After strong protests against this undemocratic step of the Delhi police, the DSMM was allowed to hold a protest demonstration at Teen Murti Circle. The demonstration was addressed by V Srinivas Rao, G Mamatha, Nathu Prasad, DSMM leaders and AIDWA Delhi secretary, Sehba Farooqui.

THERE has been a manifold increase in the number of reported cases of sexual assaults against girls and women with disabilities. Considered as soft targets, disabled girls and women are more vulnerable to sexual assaults. While specific provisions are contained in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act as well as the amendments to the criminal laws post Verma Committee with regard to disabled girls and women, it is a matter of grave concern that provisions contained therein are not implemented at all or are not implemented in full.

HE is an icon of humanity not an Ezhava idol.

It is rather unfortunate that we are living in an age when the lights kindled by the renaissance movements are sought to be extinguished by the revivalist forces of various hues all over the country. What is more shocking is that the movements which once heralded the dawn of a new era of scientific temper, logical thoughts and rational outlook themselves deteriorate in standards and stoop to the level of becoming instruments in the hands of fundamentalist forces bent on balkanising society.

AN 'invisible' government is ruling the coastal Karnataka. The 'visible' government is at their beck and call.  The flag-bearers of this 'invisible' government or Hindutva vanguard decide with whom a girl from their community may or may not associate. They have absolute authority to punish any Muslim boy seen in public with a Hindu girl. In such cases, the Muslim boy is assaulted and humiliated in any way they please. The Hindu girl, too, is insulted, manhandled and threatened, all in order to protect her ‘honour’.