DC Manna land issue unresolved despite assurance; dalit groups warn of agitation

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 22, 2026: The Dalit Sanghatanegala Samanvaya Samithi has warned of intensified protests against the State government and Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister U T Khader over the continued delay in resolving the long-pending issue of allotting DC Manna land to eligible beneficiaries.

Dalit leader Ashok Konchadi alleged that Khader had assured a delegation of Dalit organisations that the issue would be resolved during the State Cabinet meeting held in Mangaluru. However, the issue remained unresolved even after the meeting, which he described as a betrayal of the Dalit community.

According to Konchadi, Dalit organisations in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have been fighting for nearly 30 years for the resolution of issues related to the allotment of DC Manna land, which is intended for members of the Dalit community.

He alleged that Khader was responsible for the issue not being resolved at the Cabinet level and claimed that Dalit organisations had been receiving assurances for the past nine years. He also questioned whether the minister was protecting influential individuals allegedly involved in encroaching upon land meant for Dalits.

“We will stage protests against the minister wherever he attends public programmes in the coming days,” Konchadi warned.

He said the Samithi would launch a series of agitations, including a district-wide public awareness campaign, leaflet distribution, padayatras and large-scale protests against what it termed the government’s anti-Dalit policies.

“We will teach a lesson to U T Khader in the next Assembly elections for betraying the Dalits,” he said.

Samithi chief convener Ramesh Kotian said Dalit organisations had been demanding the allotment of DC Manna land to around 6,000 applicants who had applied for sites in the district.

“Whenever the issue is raised during meetings with the district administration, authorities cite the need to amend the Draft Rules-2017. Ministers and elected representatives have failed to demonstrate the political will to allot land to eligible beneficiaries,” he said.

Samithi convener Raghu K Ekkar alleged that the government had allocated crores of rupees for coastal development, temple projects and initiatives benefiting industrialists, but had failed to address the longstanding demands of Dalits.

“Congress used our votes to come to power. Now, we will show our strength to the Congress for failing to fulfil our demands,” he said.

Ekkar also claimed that when the Dalit representatives met Chief Minister D K Shivakumar during his recent visit to Mangaluru, he was unaware of the DC Manna land issue.

“This clearly shows that the District In-charge Minister had not apprised him of the long-pending issue,” he alleged.