NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR ERADICATION OF CASTE
A two-day National Conference for Eradication of Caste was held in the Sikshkara Sadana Auditorim in Kempa Gowda Road of Bangalore on 29th and 30th of May, 2010.
The Manava Mandapa organisation of Karnataka State organised and conducted the conference. Tmt. Indira Krishnappa, President of the organisation presided over the function in which Dr.K.Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam delivered the inaugural address in the morning session of the first day conference on 29-5-2010. Dr. Ravivarma Kumar, another Trustee of the organisation and former Chairman of the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission delivered Keynote address.
Mr.U.Bhupathi, Trustee of Manava Mandapa welcomed the gathering, Mr.Rudrappa Hanagavadi compered and Tmt. Yamuna James, another Trustee of the organisation proposed vote of thanks.
Popular Social Thinker Keshavarao Jadhav, Poet and Cine Director Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa, Dr. Rajendra Chenni, Director of Distance Education, Kuvempu University of Shimoga spoke in the inaugural session.
In the after noon session of the first day semianar, under the Presidentship of Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda, M.L.A., Dr. Sunilam, Social Thinker of Delhi, Mrs. Geetha, Seceretary, National Backward Class, SC/ST & Minority Association, Delhi, Thiru Rajashekhar Koti, Editor, Andolona and Mr. Sanath Kumar Belagali, Trustee of Manava Mantap delivered speeches.
In the morning session of the second day of the conference, under the presidentship of Dr.P.K.Misra, Former Director of Anthropology Survey of India, Prof. H.L. Keshavamurthy, Mandya, Mr. Sivasundar Bangalore and Dr. Nataraj Huliyar of Central University, Gulbarga spoke about the challenges the secular marriages are facing and about the solutions needed for them.
In the afternoon session of the second day of the conference, under the Presidentship of Dr. C.S. Dwarakanath, Chairman of the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission, Dr. Muzafar Asadi, Mr.Clifton D. Rozaria, and Dr. Govindaiah spoke about the need for providing reservations to the offsprings of the intercaste married couples.
After unveiling the portraits of the leaders who have toiled for the abolition of the caste system on the dais, Dr.KVeeramani in his inaugural address listed out the struggles and other activities undertaken by Dravidar Kazhagam for the abolision of the caste system. He described that the system of reservation in education and employment is like a temporary bridge provided pending construction of the permanent bridge of ‘eradication of caste system’. “Till the completion of the main bridge, the temporary bridge or diversion road will continue to exist. Likewise till the caste system is totally annihilated, the system of reservation wil have to continue”, he said. He said that the Dravidar Kazhagam has passed a resolution many years ago itself that reservations must be provided for the offsprings of the intercaste married couples.
Dr.Veeramani pointed out that in 18 places the word caste has been mentioned in our Consitution. If the discriminatory caste system has to be totally abolished, the Hindu Ithihasas, Puranas etc.upholding the Varnasrama Dharma must be annihilated first.
