Portrait desecration of national leaders sparks protest in Kukanur

Photo: Dalit organisations submit a memorandum to PSI SP Nayak of Kukanur police station and tahsildar Basavaraj Benne Shirur to take action on the culpritsKukanur (Koppal): Tension gripped Veerapur village in Kukanur taluk after some unidentified miscreants desecrated portraits of prominent national leaders, including Dr BR Ambedkar and Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram, by hurling dung on them.The incident came to light on Thursday morning, triggering outrage among villagers. The Ambedkar Circle in Veerapur features portraits of several eminent personalities such as Jyotiba Phule and Shahu Maharaj. All the portraits around the circle were found defaced, leading to widespread anger.Villagers staged a protest, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits. Police from Kukanur rushed to the spot and began an investigation. Protesters also urged the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and the local MLA to visit the village and take strict action.PSI SP Nayak of Kukanur police station and tahsildar Basavaraj Benne Shirur visited the spot and said a thorough investigation is underway, adding that appropriate legal action will be taken against those responsible. They also stated that measures would be put in place to prevent such incidents from recurring.Later, leaders of Dalit organisations submitted a memorandum demanding immediate arrests and stringent legal action, including externment, against the miscreants.Dalit leaders, including Galeppa Doddamani, Ningaraj Benakal, Prakash Veerapur, Basavaraj Nadavalamani and others, were present.