CM Siddaramaiah pens open letter to Amit Shah over Ambedkar remark
Says Ambedkar is our inspiration, not an addiction
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed an open letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing strong disapproval of Shah's recent remarks about Dr B.R. Ambedkar during a Lok Sabha session on December 18, 2024. Siddaramaiah accused Shah of trivialising Ambedkar's legacy by referring to it as an "addiction."
In the letter, Siddaramaiah lauded Ambedkar’s contributions, stating, "Ambedkar is not an addiction; he is a daily remembrance and an eternal inspiration." He criticised Shah for disrespecting Ambedkar’s memory in a Parliament functioning under the Constitution authored by him. Siddaramaiah urged Shah to refrain from offering clarifications or claiming misrepresentation, challenging him instead to stand by his words.
Highlighting Ambedkar’s role in shaping modern India, Siddaramaiah credited the Constitution for enabling social equality and empowering leaders from marginalised communities. "Without Ambedkar, I would not have become the Chief Minister. Leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, who reached the pinnacle of Indian politics, would have been confined to labour in factories," he said.
Siddaramaiah also criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for its historical opposition to the Constitution, citing remarks by its leaders such as Hedgewar and Golwalkar. He argued that Shah's comments reflected the BJP and RSS’s longstanding disregard for Ambedkar's ideals.
The letter further took a dig at the BJP's obsession with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labelling it an "addiction," and questioned the party's moral compass. "If the RSS cadre chanted God’s name as often as they chant Modi’s, they might earn salvation for their misdeeds in power," Siddaramaiah remarked.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Funds for voluntary relocation of Karnataka's Bhimgad sanctuary villages to be allocated shortly
Hubballi: Karnataka's Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has assured the forest dwellers of Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Belagavi district that the government will soon allocate funds for their voluntary relocation.
Speaking to the people of Talewadi, one of the 13 hamlets situated in the sanctuary in Khanapur taluk, Khandre said that each family would receive Rs 15 lakh as compensation for rehabilitation, in line with the guidelines set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), as reported by Deccan Herald on Wednesday.
The 13 settlements within the pristine forest of Bhimgad is a home to 754 families comprising 3,059 people. This region, a critical tiger corridor, connects the Kali Tiger Reserve with Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, Mollem National Park and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also a critical habitat for tigers, leopards, endangered species like Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, among others.
While many residents of several hamlets have expressed a willingness to relocate due to inadequate basic facilities such as healthcare, education, and road connectivity, the rehabilitation work has been pending for want of funds.
Sources in the department informed the Deccan Herald that the minister advised the villagers to use the compensation funds effectively, either to purchase alternative agricultural land in and around Khanapur or to deposit the amount in banks. Furthermore, he directed the forest department to provide full support to the relocating families throughout the process, ensuring a smooth transition to their new life.
Belagavi’s Deputy Conservator of Forest, Maria Christu Raja, told DH that the talks with Talewadi residents were productive. While several hamlets have shown interest in relocating, applications have only been received from Talewadi. Officials hope that the successful relocation of Talewadi will serve as a model, encouraging other hamlet residents to follow suit.
The relocation of Talewadi will free up more than 1,000 hectares of inviolate space, providing critical habitat for the region's wildlife.
