Siddarth Sethia
Members of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) staged a protest in front of Vidhana Soudha on Thursday,demanding an immediate and unconditional apology from Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)Minister Krishna Byre Gowda over his recent remarks concerning pourakarmikas.
The protesters alleged that the minister’s remarks were derogatory and demanded that he apologise to pourakarmikas,who play a key role in maintaining the city’s cleanliness.
According to AICCTU,several protesters,including Com. Nirmala,Com.Maitreyi Krishnan,advocate Vinay Sreenivasa and AISA students Sharat and Harish,were detained by the Bengaluru Police within four minutes of the protest beginning.
The organisation alleged that police personnel manhandled some of the protesters during the detention. It also alleged that police tore a copy of the Preamble to the Constitution that was being held by protesters.
The protesters raised slogans highlighting the contribution of sanitation workers to Bengaluru and asserted that pourakarmikas are equal citizens entitled to dignity and respect.
AICCTU condemned the detentions and alleged police action,reiterating its demand for an unconditional apology from Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
