News Flash
01 October
Reported: Vishal Mayur
Constitution Protection Maha Union Leads Rally at Freedom Park, Bengaluru
Bengaluru: A massive protest rally organized by the Constitution Protection Maha Union saw over 100,000 Dalit leaders and students gather at Freedom Park in Bengaluru to demand the disqualification of MLA Muniratna Naidu on Tuesday. The protestors called for his immediate removal from office, confiscation of his alleged illegally acquired property, and his exile from Karnataka. They also demanded a political boycott against him, accusing him of undermining the values of democracy and the constitution.
The protesters urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete its investigation into the charges against Muniratna within a stipulated time frame. They highlighted his alleged offensive and indecent remarks made in a leaked audio recording, which targeted the Scheduled and Okkaliga communities, including women. These remarks, they argued, had disrespected the dignity of 7 crore Kannadigas and called for strong and immediate action against the MLA.
The protest also brought attention to the enduring issue of caste-based discrimination in India. Protestors pointed out that, despite rising literacy rates, caste violence continues to be a pressing problem. The caste system, which has persisted for thousands of years, has caused deep divisions in society. While great leaders like Lord Buddha, Vishwaguru Basavanna, Kanakadasa, Narayanguru, Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule, Periyar, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar fought to dismantle this system and worked to build a united society, protestors expressed concern that individuals like Muniratna are setting back this progress.
The audio clip, which surfaced on social media on September 13, 2024, allegedly features Muniratna using obscene language and making derogatory statements against marginalized communities. This has further inflamed public anger, as the MLA was elected to represent all communities but is now accused of inciting division. In addition to these accusations, Muniratna faces charges related to other crimes, including involvement in a honey trap, biological warfare experiments, and using HIV-infected individuals to attack political rivals.
The Constitution Protection Maha Union’s protest rally emphasized the need for unity in condemning Muniratna’s actions. Speakers at the event highlighted that, in a democracy, elected officials must be held accountable for their behavior. They stressed that Muniratna’s conduct not only targets specific communities but also undermines the very foundations of the constitution and democratic governance.
The protest concluded with a strong call for the disqualification of Muniratna from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the swift resolution of the investigation into his alleged crimes. Protesters warned that failure to take action against the MLA would further damage the public’s faith in the democratic process and the constitution's role in ensuring justice and equality for all.