http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-88101.html
Dalits protest CM not addressing them during visit Kakinada, AP, Apr 12 : Leaders of Dalits associations expressed their strong resentment over Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah not addressing the Dalits, who had gathered in large number at the inauguration of the renovated Ambedkar building here today. ''We were happy that Ambedkar bhavan was given a facelift with the local industrial units help at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. Except unveiling the Ambedkar statue and cutting the ribbon marking the re-opening of the building, the Chief Minister did not address any meeting. ''Dalit association representatives received shabby treatment in the hands of security personnel. They were neither allowed to submit a memorandum nor a patient hearing. In the name of Ambedkar, the Bhavan is now given a corporate colour, keeping the dalits far away,'' Forum for Dalit Studies Director P Arunkumar claimed. Annoyed by Mr Rosaiah's attitude, SC Association leaders Siddhartha Kumar and Surya Narayana walked out of the venue, blaming him and the police. Though ample time was there, the Chief Minister preferred to greet only the corporate sector representatives for their liberal contribution for the Bhavan renovation, they claimed. He did not address any public meeting during the second and last day of his tour of East Godavari district and devoted time mostly for performing special poojas at Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple and receive the blessings of Astrologer and Vedic pundit Chinthabhatla Ganapati Sastry at Samalkot, they alleged. In his brief speech at the foundation stone laying function for the autonagar at Rajahmundry, Mr Rosaiah underlined the importance of autonagar in every town and reiterated his government's determination in developing infrastructure such as seaports and airports for the accelerated and planned growth of the state. At Kakinada, he declared open the renovated Ambedkar Bhavan and inaugurated the Kakinada Branch of the Aryapuram Bank in the main road. --UNI
