Govt should have organized massive protest against Mallikarjun Kharge insult, says Congress leader

Prasad Abbey | Photo credit: File Photo

“The Congress government in Karnataka should have organized a massive protest against the insult meted out to Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the AICC, after the ‘purification ritual’ incident in Haldwani. I am disappointed that the Congress did not protest properly,” Prasad Abbayya, MLA and Congress leader, said in Davangere on Sunday.

“Due to his efforts to promote public and integrity, Mallikarjun Kharge has developed into a mass leader with a clean image. He has grown beyond any caste affiliation. It is a shame that he was insulted by the right-wing forces who carried out a purge after his visit to Haldwani. In fact, it was such a serious offense against the constitutional principle of Indian citizens that we all need to realize this Indian principle. strongly oppose such attempts,” said Mr. Abbayya, a Dalit leader from Hubballi.

He was speaking at a function to celebrate meritorious students organized by Chalavadi community in Davanagere. He urged the community members to stand united with Home Minister Priyank Kharg. “The Home Secretary is moving forward with his knowledge and clarity of thinking, but he is facing verbal attacks from vested interests. We must stand firmly behind him,” he said.

“Ideology is more important to me than power. I once said that compared to ideology, power is like the chappals I wear. I stand by it even now,” said former minister HC Mahadevappa.

“When the Janata Dal (secular) leaders expelled former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, we all left. Some of his followers organized an AHINDA rally in Hubballi. I went there when HD Deve Gowda sent a message to someone that I should return to the JD(S). The messenger told me that he would make me a minister if I returned to the party, that I had returned to the ideology.” said Dr. Mahadevappa.

“We must stay true to our ideology. It was BR Ambedkar who gave us democracy. The British government was delaying handover of power to Indians. It was Dr. Ambedkar who convinced the then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to allow handover. We should all be proud of this fact. It is our responsibility to make this democracy work. All deprived communities, different classes, minorities, other groups, scheduled and others, must stay united,” he said.

Minister KS Basavantappa alleged that outsourcing agencies were taking away pourakarmikas at some places. “I am the son of pourakarmikas. I will not allow this. We will introduce strict measures to stop it,” he said. The minister added that he would request Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to introduce an award for pourakarmikas on behalf of former minister B. Basavalingappa. “Mr. Basavalingappa was a great leader who banned the practice of manual scavenging in the state. It is because of him that civic workers are leading a dignified life today, he said.

“Mr Basavantappa urged the various factions of Dalit associations to come together. We should become true Ambedkarites and internalize his ideology. We should not go around forming associations to form them,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara inaugurated the event at the SS Mallikarjun Cultural Centre. Sri Jnana Prakasha Swamiji, former minister HC Mahadevappa, minister KS Basavantappa, Prabha Mallikarjun, MP, Samarth Shamanur, MLA and other community leaders were present.

Published – 20 Sep 2026 18:41 IST