Dalit Sangharsha Samiti protests against alleged misuse of Central agencies

Members of the Karnataka Rajya Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (KRDSS) (Nagawar faction) staged a protest in Kalaburagi city on Monday against the alleged misuse of constitutional institutions and Central investigative agencies by the BJP-led Union government.

The protesters, led by KRDSS district convener Basavaraj T. Badihal, submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the State government.

The protesters alleged that the Centre had been using the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), the Income Tax Department (IT), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to target Opposition leaders for political reasons and weaken non-BJP governments. Mr. Badihal claimed that such actions were intended to intimidate political leaders, including those from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward and minority communities, and to pressure them to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

The protesters also condemned the recent ED raids on Dalit Ministers in the State, accusing them of politically motivated action against Opposition leaders. The agitators called for the protection of the autonomy of constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, the ED, the IT Department and the CBI.

The samiti also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls was being carried out in an undemocratic manner.

The protesters urged the judiciary to intervene against the alleged misuse of independent institutions for political gains and initiate appropriate legal action.