Mangalore, Nov 26: Thousands of people participated in the protest march under the leadership of Communist Party of India (Marxist) organized a mass protest rally on Nov 26, Tuesday, demanding CBI probe into Sowjanya rape and murder case and other 463 unnatural deaths cases took place in Dharmasthala and Ujire.
The mass protest rally began from the town of Dharmasthala and Sullia on Thursday and culminated in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here at noon on Tuesday.
Addressing the protestors, CPI(M) Parliamentary Party leader Basudev Acharya said that a situation of lawlessness had been created in Dharmasthala region where uncivilised activities were taking place for over a decade. From several years, young women are being raped and killed and land belonging to the poor is illegally being grabbed in Dharmasthala without any regard for the law of this country, he said.
“Even after 66 years of Indian Independence, the feudal system still prevails. The government is patting capitalists instead of providing justice to victims like Sowjanya. These feudal lords can do whatever they want; they can grab anyone’s land, suppress the people, and act as a separate state in this country. This type of barbaric, uncivilized, inhuman activity still prevails in civilized society. Can such uncivilized activities be allowed in this civilized society?” he lashed out.
He also said that Sowjanya case was not just the state but a national issue. Hence this issue must be discussed in the Parliament and the fight for justice must continue till real culprits are punished.
The national secretary of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), U Vasuki, said, “There is no ‘Dharma’ in Dharmasthala; the police and the administration have remained mute spectators. The government and the police department, instead of cracking the mystery behind 450 unnatural deaths, is protecting the culprits.
Being a temple head, the Dharamadikari has to provide justice and solace to people. What justice can he give to Sowjanya and her family? Why have the 450 unnatural deaths not come to his notice? Various parties have their own party flag but their true colours came to be known in the case of Sowjanya he added.
Sowjanya’s parents Kusumavathi and Chandappa Gowda, CPI(M) state secretary G V Srirama Reddy, renowned advocate S Shankarappa and CPI(M) leaders Vasanth Achari and Balakrishna Shetty participated in the protest.
