Mangaluru: Condemning the utilisation of reservation benefits by fishermen from Uttara Kannada district in the name of the Mogera community, a Scheduled Caste in the district, the Dalits, under the aegis of Mogera Sangha, took out a protest rally on Monday.

Holding blue colour flags and raising the slogan ‘Jai Bheem’, the members took out a rally from Shanthi Nilaya ground to Clock Tower. 

Rajya Parishistha Jathi Adyayana Samiti convener Subhash Kanade, addressing members, said the Mogera community in the past were engaged in hunting rabbits. But, using the name of ‘Mogera,’ fishermen from Uttara Kannada had availed SC certificates between 1977 and 2010 and have utilised the reservation facilities.

When an appeal was made against the issue of SC certificates for non-SC community members in 2004-05, it was decided to conduct a genealogy study and steps were taken to check the issuing of the certificates. Unfortunately, even to this day, many using the SC certificate have been availing reservation benefits, he alleged.

All the SC certificates issued for the fishermen in the name of the Mogera community since 1977 should be cancelled, he said.

At present, computerised caste certificates are issued. However, handwritten certificates were issued between 1977 to 2010, which also should be suspended. A special commission should be set up to verify those who had availed of reservation benefits by misusing the caste and stringent action should be initiated against them, said Subhash Kanade.

Dalit leader Ashok Konchady said there are chances of misusing the SC certificates issued for the fishermen community, in the name of the Mogera community, for pursuing higher education at Mangalore University.

The fishermen from the Mogera community come under the backward class 1 category. The issue of SC certificates to fishermen from the Mogera community is against the Constitution, he alleged.

By misusing the reservation benefits, it is not only the Mogera community who are denied facilities, but even other 101 SC communities are also feeling cheated in employment, education and other social benefits, he said.

The protest rally was launched with senior leader Mohandas Sullia from the Mogera community playing the traditional Dudi.