Protest organized against atrocities perpetrated on Patrao family

Protest organized against atrocities perpetrated on Patrao family

Mangalore Today News Network

IJ Saldanha Shet

Mangalore, May 3: A protest rally of sympathetic members of the public was organized under the banner of the DK branch of Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha Hagu Hasiru Sene in front of the DC office on May 3, 2010. The event was a huge success, with large crowd of people participating and listening to the speeches of well-known leaders against the atrocities perpetrated on the Patrao family. The protest lasted for 2 hours. The chief speaker was Gregory Patrao, who spoke about the harrassment and ignominy suffered by the entire family at the hands of the authorities. 

 

 

 

People expressed their solidarity by displaying placards. Gregory Patrao said although the court dismissed his case, he believed that he would get justice in due course of time. He said that he had neither received  the judgment copy nor  any official document. He wanted to know why only he should be evicted from the ancestral property on which his family had lived for more than 3 centuries. 

“Not a single representative of the people—MLAs, MLCs, or MPs or anyone came to enquire,who otherwise come seeking votes. It is my duty to fight such demonic activities. No portion of my forefather’s lands must be handed over to industrial entities with crores of capital and alien money,” he thundered. He also said that the responsible officers of DK were corrupt individuals, interested only in money, material, and land. He said that no alternative has been given to the family. They have received no compensation. Instead, the ancestral property and home has been razed and reduced to dust. 

William D’Souza, vice president of Krishi Bhoomi Samarakshana Samithi, spoke earnestly and the public cheered him for his realistic explanation of what was going on. He said: “Anna kotta raithana kolluthare.” In times of crises Hindus, Muslims, and Christians are all united he said, adding that no one facing danger will be abandoned. 

One of the banners read: “Tulu Parampare Mele JCB.” Mr. D’Souza, quoting the Patraos spoke of the relentless force with which the JCB had flattened everything looked upon with sentiment. The speaker also said that no government official has the power to destroy the Tulu culture that has prevailed for centuries in Karavali. 

Esha Vittaladasa Swamy of Kemmar Matta condemned the whole incident and exhorted all the religious dignitaries of Christian and other groups to come forward and give moral instructions to the ruling forces of DK to correct the demonic and immoral actions that are presently prevailing in the region lest the curse of God descend on our lands. 

The speakers assured the public present that this must be the start of a serious correction of the many anomalies that are present in our current system. The Patrao family was present in spite of the trauma that they had faced and thanked the public for their support in this time of need and hoped that the forces of good will prevail and annihilate all evil in the land treasured by our forefathers.  The organizers told the public that they will be kept informed through media on the developments and appropriate gatherings will be called from time to time.