Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (MS)

Mysuru, Feb 9: Former CM and leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah warned the state government that Congress will get down to the streets and fight against the state BJP government if Dalits and minorities are subjected to any kind of injustice.

Siddaramaiah said that the union and state governments are against reservation. They are withdrawing reservations in the name of privatization. If such a situation arises, he is ready to fight for AHINDA.

Siddaramaiah further said, "Let it be the Kuruba community or anyone. If they are getting a reservation as per constitution they should get it. I am not against adding any community to the Scheduled Tribe category."

Responding to the statement of a Swamiji belonging to Kuruba community that the community will support Modi if they are added to ST category, Siddaramiah said, "This decision cannot be taken by one person. It cannot be decided in a meeting or function. People will decide during the elections. The verdict is given by the public."

Expressing his opinion on the matter of leadership in ST reservation fight, Siddaramaiah said, "A leader should be born and rise amongst the people. It is not right to say that one is a leader. People will decide who is the leader."

Recalling his school days, Siddaramaiah said, "One of my friends called me to have food in a Math. I was studying in Mysuru during that time. Each and every experience I had at Math is invaluable. Intercaste and Interreligious marriages should take place. The child who is born does not know its caste. We tell them about caste. One who grows beyond his or her caste becomes Vishwamanava or universal human being. One who professes about caste becomes a dwarf.

"During the coronavirus pandemic, the marriages were simple. It would have been better if the same continued. But now, the people have gone back to spending lavishly on weddings. I have got many people married. All the marriages which I have got done were simple. Nowadays people prepare more than 30 to 50 dishes but not a single one can be consumed. It is a national waste," he added.

"Simple marriages are the need of the hour. Along with simple marriages, inter-caste marriages are welcome. This is very important to eradicate caste-based society and form an egalitarian social system. It also helps in secularism. Basavanna had got marriages of higher caste and untouchables done during his time. He had brought this revolutionary change nearly 850 years ago. Basavanna had conducted parliament and assembly at Anubhava Mantapa. That is why I came forward to build Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan. But I lost power when the work was about to start. The present BJP government has just had a foundation stone laying ceremony for the same. Anubhava Mantapa will be built soon," the former chief minister said.