Bengaluru, Apr 15 (DHNS): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a swipe at his critics, who had badmouthed him for his budget and schemes such as Anna Bhagya. He said that his focus as the head of the State is to ensure social justice prevails.

Addressing a gathering after presenting the Ambedkar award to veteran social activist and former legislator S S Arakeri on Ambedkar Jayanti here on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said that his budget has been labelled as “Ahinda or pro-dalit” and that legislators had attacked him for making the beneficiaries of Anna Bhagya “lazy”.

“I have also been criticised for conducting the socio-economic census. People have said that I am dividing the society. But it is the exact opposite. Only casteists can make such statements. All the measures that I have taken have been to ensure social justice and equality among all sections of the society,” he said.

He added that as long as power and wealth were vested in the hands of a few, inequality and discrimination would continue. He applauded Arakeri for his contributions, struggles and sacrifices, while propagating the philosophies of Ambedkar and the dalit movement.