Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently issued a strong warning to the public regarding the RSS and Sangh Parivar, emphasizing their ongoing opposition to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s Constitution. He urged citizens to remain vigilant against these organizations.
During the silver jubilee celebrations of the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre and the inauguration of the new Jnanadarshana building at the University of Mysore’s Manasagangothri campus, Mr. Siddaramaiah lauded Dr. Ambedkar as a profound visionary. He noted that Ambedkar dedicated his vast knowledge to societal transformation.
The Chief Minister highlighted Ambedkar’s dedication, stating, “Ambedkar acquired knowledge to understand society, and later devoted his entire life to using that knowledge to change society.”
Accusations of False Propaganda
Mr. Siddaramaiah further criticized the BJP and the Sangh Parivar, accusing them of propagating falsehoods under the guise of Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy. He specifically pointed out their claims that the Congress was responsible for Ambedkar’s electoral defeats, countering with Ambedkar’s own writings which attribute his losses to V.D. Savarkar and S.A. Dange.
He clarified that V.D. Savarkar was a prominent Hindutva ideologue, while S.A. Dange was a notable Communist leader.
The Chief Minister underscored the importance of revealing these historical truths to society, aiming to debunk the misinformation spread by the Sangh Parivar.
Highlighting his commitment to Ambedkar’s principles, Mr. Siddaramaiah mentioned establishing the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar School of Economics University in Bengaluru. This institution aims to empower students to follow in Ambedkar’s footsteps, as he asserted, “Another like Ambedkar can never be born. But, each of us must follow his ideals and walk his path.”
He further noted Dr. Ambedkar’s meticulous approach in drafting India’s Constitution, emphasizing that Ambedkar thoroughly studied global constitutions to create a framework uniquely suited for Indian society.
Condemning the Incident Involving the Chief Justice of India
Addressing a recent controversial event where a lawyer allegedly attempted to throw footwear at the Chief Justice of India, Mr. Siddaramaiah stated, “A ‘sanatani’ hurled a shoe at the Chief Justice of India. This indicates that Sanatanis and casteist elites still persist in our society.” He called for universal condemnation of such acts, remarking, “Throwing a shoe at the Chief Justice should be condemned, not only by Dalits, but by everyone. Only then can we feel assured that society is truly on the path of change.”
The Chief Minister also championed equal opportunity, declaring, “Education is not anyone’s ancestral property. What is needed are equal opportunities. When opportunities are provided, people become scholars and thinkers,” drawing parallels to Dr. Ambedkar’s own journey.
A Call for Conscious Association
Mr. Siddaramaiah concluded by urging people to be discerning in their associations. He advised, “Be with those who stand for social justice. Do not associate with those who oppose social change and those who cling to Sanatan ideology.”
Earlier, while speaking to reporters, Mr. Siddaramaiah clarified that the Karnataka government’s regulations on using public and government spaces for activities are not aimed at any specific group but apply uniformly to all organizations.
He explained that the requirement for prior permission for public activities is a measure to prevent inconvenience to citizens. He also questioned the current opposition, noting, “A similar rule was introduced when the BJP was in power and Jagadish Shettar was the Chief Minister. Why was there no opposition to the rule then?”