Mangalore : Dr. Madhava Peraje, lecturer in Hampi Kannada University said that British people were responsible towards the atrocities against Dalits.

He was speaking at the seminar titled “Life of Dalits in Independent India” organized by the Karnataka Dalita Sangharsha Samithi (DSS) in University College, Mangalore on June 8, Sunday.

He also said that during 13th century, Dalits served the country as commanders in the army, but during British rule they were treated as slaves. Even the atrocity records of Dalits by the British during 18th century are still available, he said.

Refusing the statement, Dr Peraje said that it is not true that  British influenced Dalits to get education by introducing common education, but they had gained education from the upper castes people.

Dharmanna Naik, former commissioner of Commercial Taxes Department, said that the condition of Indian Dalits have still not changed even to the present day. They were destitute of governmental facilities because they did not possess land ownership documents, he said.

Shridhar Ullal, state award winning teacher, and Krishnappa Derebail, district president of the Mugera Samaja Seva Sangha were felicitated on this occasion.