Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday urged people to remain cautious towards the RSS and Sangh Parivar and advised them not to associate with those who historically opposed BR Ambedkar and the Constitution he drafted.
“Keep company properly. Associate with those who stand for society, not with those who are against social change or with ‘Sanatanis’,” he said earlier while inaugurating the silver jubilee celebrations of Mysore University.
The comment came amid the Karnataka government’s move to regulate the use of public spaces, including schools and colleges, to “prevent any violation”. The Cabinet had issued the order last month after Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge called for a ban on RSS programs in government schools and other educational institutions.
Siddaramaiah clarified the government order and elaborated on his earlier comment. He pointed out that a similar order had been passed by Jagadish Shettar’s cabinet and was merely an extension of a 2013 circular issued under the previous BJP government.
“We are not targeting the RSS. This applies to any organization. The order was originally issued in 2013 during Jagadish Shettar’s tenure. Why didn’t they (BJP) oppose it then, when Jagadish Shettar brought the law? Our target is not the RSS or any specific group. If law and order is disrupted, our police will take necessary action,” Siddaramaiah said.
Earlier in the day, while inaugurating the silver jubilee celebrations at the University of Mysore, Siddaramaiah warned against associating with groups he described as against social reforms, specifically mentioning the RSS and Sangh Parivar.
Recalling a recent incident where a shoe was thrown at the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai said, “The fact that a ‘sanatani’ threw a shoe at the Chief Justice shows that ‘sanatanis’ and orthodox elements still exist in the society. This act should be condemned not only by Dalits but by everyone. Only then can we say that the society is moving on the path of change.”
Siddaramaiah also alleged that the RSS and Sangh Parivar had opposed Ambedkar’s Constitution and continue to do so, urging people to remain vigilant.
Highlighting Ambedkar’s approach to social change, Siddaramaiah said, “Ambedkar acquired knowledge to understand society and used it throughout his life to change society.”
Addressing the alleged spread of misinformation about Ambedkar’s political legacy, Siddaramaiah further said, “They are spreading lies that Congress defeated Ambedkar in the elections. But the truth is what Ambedkar himself wrote in his own handwriting: ‘Savarkar and Dange defeated me.’ Such truths must be presented to the society to expose the falsehoods of the Sangh Parivar.”
Siddaramaiah concluded by expressing his support for rational and scientific thinking, adding, “That is why I hope that rationality and scientific thinking will grow. Don’t be a person who studies science but still practices blind beliefs,” he said.
– Ends
Input from PTI
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