http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Iisc+Urged+To+Help+Fight+Untouchability&artid=y35wWz1W2l0=&SectionID=7GUA38txp3s=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2TGM5XQ==&SEO=
Iisc Urged To Help Fight Untouchability Express News Service First Published : 07 Oct 2008 10:03:00 AM IST BANGALORE: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), which is celebrating its centenary year, was urged to adopt a district in Karnataka and make it 'untouchability-free.' Speaking on the occasion of the birthday celebrations of B R Ambedkar organised by the IISc SC/ST, OBCs and Minorities' Welfare Association here on Monday, advocate Ravivarma Kumar said: "Institutes like IISc have an important role to play in getting rid of untouchability. IISc develops scientific temperament, and no scientific person can practice untouchability. IISc should adopt one district on a pilot basis and turn it into a model for the whole country." Justice A J Sadashiva, who heads the inquiry commission to study the Constitutional benefits for SCs and imbalances in their distribution, said only a few communities were reaping the benefits of reservation and the status of about 90 lakh SCs in the State had not improved even after several decades. He also said that the commission was unable to submit its report due to lack of funds. "I have personally written to three chief ministers and had five meetings, but we haven't got the required funding," Sadashiva regretted. IISc Director P Balaram said the institute would do everything possible to uplift all sections of the society and make higher education more accessible. K Kalappa, general secretary of the Association, urged the director to resolve all pending demands of the SC/ST and OBC employees at IISc and also write to the government seeking free sites for all employees in the centenary year.
