Kalburagi (Karnataka) 17 September (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday that the Kuruba community was first recommended to include the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, but the recommendation was withdrawn by the center, as he assured that additional data and support documents would now be prepared.
This statement will trigger the debate in the state, as the involvement of the Kuruba community is opposed by other communities in the state, in which the CM himself is in the ST category.
Siddaramaiah made a statement during an event organized by the Karnataka state Kuruba Sangh and Sangoli Rai Youth Association. He also unveiled the statue of Rena and named the City Bus Station after Freedom Fighter. He also said that Rayana’s birth anniversary is celebrated on Independence Day on August 15, and the British hanged him on 26 January, which later became Republic Day.
Regarding opposition from Valmiki community leaders to include the Kuruba community in the ST list, he said that the final decision to include any community in the ST category rests with the central government, and the state government can only make recommendations. He said that there is no need to oppose it.
Siddaramaiah called upon people to write “Kuruba” in the caste column during the survey being conducted from 22 September to 7 October, stating that there would be only a clear picture of community status and social benefits. He said that survey is being conducted to understand the exact situation of all caste communities in the state.
He said that the Kuruba community, which forms about 7 percent of the population in the state, remains highly backward in education. Therefore, it is necessary to be educated for every member of the community, and the community should uplift in the field of education.
The Chief Minister further said that the purpose of Kanaka Guru Petha is to provide education to all marginalized communities. Dr. Both Bribedkar and Narayan Guru believed that people could get freedom and self-esteem through education. He said that the caste system has created inequality.
“We have visited the entire kingdom to establish Kanak Guru Petha, but now some self-proclaimed people are claiming that they are going to install it. Do not believe such claims. I leave the decision. I leave you. Your love and faith is always with me.
He emphasized that the vision of a caste-less and class-less society was the dream of Buddha, Baswa and Ambedkar. He said that the government is also working to eliminate inequality by implementing many welfare schemes and guarantee.
He said that a society cannot move forward without economic progress. Therefore, socially and economically marginalized communities should witness to progress. Only then will the dreams of Buddha, Baswa and Ambedkar be felt. He recalled that during his first term as Chief Minister, he conducted a social and educational survey of backward communities for this reason.
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MKA / VD