Ryot leader K S Puttanaiah blamed economic inequality as one of the reasons for the entrenched caste discrimination in the country.
He was speaking at a programme to discuss present politics and status of Dalits, organised by Karnataka Rajya Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (KRDSS) here on Sunday.
He said those with education, financial resources and power are respected, but those at the lower strata of the society are looked down upon by people. By providing BPL cards, the country is upholding the socio-economic inequality, he added.
The administration of the country is currently based on caste system. A particular strata of the society is controlling financial and educational institutions. At a time when discriminated societies have to fight together in order to do away with inequality, they are involved in infighting.
Slamming the government, he said even though a pay commission has been constituted for government employees, no such measure has been taken for farmers, daily wage labourers and those working in the unorganised sector.
He said even though the prime minister has been urged to take measures, he has not considered the issues plaguing the country.
KRDSS convenor Lakshminarayan Nagawara, district convenor Devagalli Somashekar, ryot leader K C Basavaraju and others were present.