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Mysore, October 15 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that if change has to be brought in the rigid society, then the ideals and philosophy of Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar will have to be spread to more people.
He was speaking after inaugurating the International Buddhist Cultural Confluence “Buddha Mahasammelan and the Journey of Human Fraternity 2025” held at the Maharaja’s College grounds in Mysuru on Wednesday.
The event was jointly hosted by the Karnataka State Bhikshu Sangha, Buddhist organisations, Ambedkarite associations and Vishwamaitri Buddha Viharaya.
He underlined that tolerance and co-existence towards other religions should be adopted. He said, “Inequality exists because everyone does not get equal opportunities. Ambedkar emphasized that equality is possible only when every individual achieves social and economic strength. Peace, non-violence and truth can be established in the country only when every individual adopts tolerance and co-existence with other religions.”
“We have to give up the slavery mentality,” he stressed, crediting the Congress government for implementing the SCSP/TSP Act. Except Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, no other state has implemented it. Every poor person will have to be economically empowered.
We have to abandon the mentality of slavery so that everyone can live as a human being. Love must defeat hate. The teachings of Buddha and Basavanna should be incorporated in everyone’s life, thereby laying the foundation for building an equal society,” CM Siddamayya underlined.
Rs 42,000 crore has been allocated under the SCSP/TSP scheme. To build an equitable society, every person will have to achieve economic strength. Our government implemented reservation in contracts. He said, although the Supreme Court did not allow reservation in promotion, yet a committee was formed and based on its report reservation in promotion was implemented.
He said that supporting programs along with awareness of equality provides social and economic strength. To eliminate inequality, our government launched various “destiny” and “guarantee” schemes during its tenure.
Due to the Shakti Yojana, nearly 70 per cent of the 9 lakh devotees visiting Hasanamba temple in a single day were women. She said, women are now independently traveling to temples and workplaces, becoming self-reliant.
He said each family is getting Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per month through the guarantee schemes.
To remove social inequality, people have to be empowered educationally, socially and economically. Great reformers like Buddha, Basavanna and Ambedkar worked in this direction. The caste system is deeply entrenched in the society. Due to the conspiracy of some Manuwadis, real change has not been possible yet.
Minister Priyanka Kharge had written to the government urging a ban on organizations conducting their activities in public places, the Chief Minister said, adding that the Chief Secretary has been directed to submit a report on the steps taken in Tamil Nadu.
He said, “There will always be obstacles in our efforts for social change. Our government has made laws to curb superstitions and regressive practices.”
Siddaramaiah said Ambedkar never stood for any one caste but believed in equality and building an equal society where all castes were considered one.
He said, “A stable society must be activated with economic empowerment. Ambedkar preached the mantra of education, organization and struggle and through this he envisioned social change. In earlier times, Shudras and women were denied education.”
Recalling an incident from his student days, Siddaramaiah said that despite several efforts for reform, caste-based discrimination is re-emerging in the society.
–IANS
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