Mysuru: Senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu claimed that the country has been under an undeclared emergency for the past 11 years, and people are being ‘slowly poisoned’, and there is an urgent need for a strong people’s movement to counter this.

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Prof. K. Ramdas Nenapinali,’ a commemorative programme in memory of the city-based activist late Prof. K. Ramdas, organised by Desiranga Samskrutika Trust at Karanth Rangachavadi in the Rangayana premises yesterday.

Observing that communalism is obstructing people’s movements, Mattu noted that involving the educated sections in such struggles has become increasingly challenging.

Pointing out that thinkers and writers such as Prof. K. Ramdas, P. Lankesh, Devanur Mahadeva, and K.P. Poornachandra Tejaswi had forewarned about communalism engulfing the country, Mattu said that today, communalism has taken over the country swiftly, weakening farmers’, linguistic, Dalit, progressive and similar movements. He lamented that the Land Reforms Act has been reduced to a skeleton through repeated amendments.

“There is hardly any point in continuing reservation movements when government jobs make up just 2 percent of employment today. People must remember that the primary aim of the reservation was to eradicate casteism. Ironically, many who benefit from the reservation are now opposing it,” he remarked, adding that bringing about political change through elections has become all                                                         the more difficult.

Expressing concern that those charged by the Police easily secure bail, he also questioned the growing doubts over the credibility of the judiciary. He further lamented that coverage of social justice issues is shrinking in newspapers, with most important reports now limited to less than 250 words.

Senior theatre personality Prasanna and critic N. Diwakar also spoke on the occasion. Senior journalist R.P. Venkatesh Murthy released theatre personality Krishna Janamana’s edited work ‘Rajakaranadalli Nytikate’ (Morality in Politics), while writer Rudrappa Anagawadi presented the ‘Lekhana’ award.

Desiranga Trust  Secretary Dr. B.S. Dinamani, Krishna Janamana and others were present.

Activists E. Dhananjaya Yeliyur, Shivu Hosahalli, Baburaj, Stanley, Ugranarasimhegowda, and others participated in an interaction on the life and movements of Prof.Ramdas.