NHRC notice to the Government of Karnataka over alleged thrashing of a young Dalit poet by some people in Davangere for his writings against Hinduism (28.10.2015)


PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 28th October, 2015

The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Government of Karnataka, through its Chief Secretary, to submit a factual report within two weeks regarding an incident of assault on a young Dalit poet in Davangere, Karnataka on the 22nd October, 2015.

The State Government has also been asked to report about the assistance provided to the victim in accordance with the SC/ST (PoA) Rules, 1995. The directions of the Commission have come following suo-motu cognizance taken by it of a media report in this regard.

According to the media report, carried on the 25th October, 2015, Uchchangi Prasad, a Dalit poet, rose from adverse social circumstances to become a student of journalism. He was awarded by the Kannada Book Authority a year ago. In the night of the 21st October, 2015, he had accompanied a visitor on the pretext of help to a patient in CG Hospital and taken to APMC Yard where eight or nine persons pounced on him taking exception to his writing poems and articles against Hinduism. He was insulted and while trying to escape, his right hand was slashed. After taking treatment at CG Hospital, he lodged a complaint with police at RMC Yard Police Station.

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