Be wary of RSS that opposed B.R. Ambedkar’s constitution, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that RSS and the Sangh Parivar, which had opposed Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s Constitution, continued to do so even today, and called upon the people to be wary of them.

Speaking after inaugurating the silver jubilee celebrations of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre in Mysuru and inaugurating the new Jnanadarshana building at the Manasagangothri campus of the University of Mysore, Mr. Siddaramaiah described Dr. Ambedkar as a great visionary, who used his knowledge for the transformation of society.

“Ambedkar acquired knowledge to understand society, and later devoted his entire life to using that knowledge to change society,” he said.

‘Spreading false propaganda’

He accused the BJP and the Sangh Parivar of spreading false propaganda in the name of Dr. Ambedkar. “They are spreading lies that it was the Congress that defeated Ambedkar in the elections. But, the truth is that Ambedkar himself wrote that he was defeated by V.D. Savarkar and S.A. Dange,” Mr Siddaramaiah said.

V.D. Savarkar was the Hindutva ideologue and S.A. Dange was a Communist leader.

The CM emphasised the need to ‘bring out such truths before society to expose the falsehoods propagated by the Sangh Parivar’.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that he had established the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar School of Economics University in Bengaluru to facilitate students, who study Ambedkar, to walk his path. “Another like Ambedkar can never be born. But, each of us must follow his ideals and walk his path,” said Mr Siddaramaiah.

He also pointed out that Dr. Ambedkar studied and absorbed the essence of all the Constitutions of the world, and gave India one of the greatest constitutions suited to its society.

CJI incident

Referring to a recent incident in which a lawyer reportedly attempted to throw footwear at the Chief Justice of India, Mr. Siddaramaiah said a ‘sanatani’ hurled a shoe at the Chief Justice of India. “This shows that Sanatanis and casteist elites continue to exist in society,” he said. “Throwing a shoe at the Chief Justice should be condemned, not only by Dalits, but by everyone. Only then can we feel assured that society is truly on the path of change,” he said.

“Education is not anyone’s ancestral property. What is needed are equal opportunities. When opportunities are provided, people become scholars and thinkers,” he said, citing Dr. Ambedkar as an example.

Choose company wisely

Mr. Siddaramaiah advised people to choose their company wisely. “Be with those who stand for social justice. Do not associate with those who oppose social change and those who cling to Sanatan ideology,” he said.

Speaking to reporters earlier, Mr. Siddaramaiah reiterated that the government of Karnataka is not targeting any specific group by regulating the use of public and government place for their activities, and said that the rule applies to all organisations.

He said the rule to seek permission from the authorities before conducting any activity is to ensure that there is no inconvenience to people. ‘’A similar rule was introduced when the BJP was in power and Jagadish Shettar was the Chief Minister. Why was there no opposition to the rule then?’’