Organise conventions, Siddu tells Kurubas, BCs

NT Correspondent

Raichur: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called upon marginalised communities to organise themselves by way of conventions to avail of their fight for constitutional rights.

He also asked Kurubas to come forward in all fields.

The CM made a reference to BR Ambedkar’s slogan to disadvantaged communities “educate, organise, agitate” in order to empower oneself.

He made the comments at the Halumata Samskruthi Vibhava 2024 convention organised by the Kanaka Gurupeeth of Kaginele Mahasansthan, a spiritual centre for Siddaramaiah’s own Kuruba caste members, in Devadurga taluk in Raichur district on Saturday.

The remarks come in the backdrop of caste census becoming a contentious issue.

Alleged leaks from the Kantharaju Commission report seem to suggest that the two most politically dominant communities in the state – Lingayats and Vokkaligas – were now outnumbered by Dalits and Muslims, both communities with fewer resources and political heft.

This has led to many Lingayats and Vokkaligas across party lines to oppose the disclosure and implementation of the report.

Even sitting ministers in Siddaramaiah’s own Cabinet such as Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (a Vokkaliga) and CM loyalist and Industries Ministries MB Patil (a Lingayat) have signed memoranda that the caste census should not be accepted.

Meanwhile, Congress’ Ahinda (acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalit) support base supports the caste census.

“God did not create the Chaturvana (four varnas of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra) system. It was created with a selfish motive. Women were also deprived of opportunities,” Siddaramaiah said.

“Dr Ambedkar made education compulsory for all. Those deprived of literacy became Shudras. It should not be forgotten that one class tried to divide the society and gain profit for selfish purposes. Those who benefited from this are still making that effort.

"Those who are being exploited should be careful about this. Kurubas are also included in this,” he said, adding that he would continue fighting for the oppressed.

The CM pointed out that the followers of 12th century saint Basavanna and his followers, the Sharanas and Kanakadasa propagated that it is amoral to discriminate along caste lines.