Siddaramaiah announces five acres of land for Shivagiri Mutt branch in coastal Karnataka
Mangaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that the State Government is ready to provide five acres of land to establish a branch of Kerala’s Shivagiri Mutt in either Udupi or Mangaluru.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 100th year celebrations of the Mahasamadhi of Shri Narayana Guru, organised jointly by Shivagiri Mutt, Varkala and the Brahmashree Narayana Guru Study Chair of Mangalore University at the Mangalagangothri Campus in Konaje, the Chief Minister said that leaders including B.K. Hariprasad have been directed to identify suitable land.
Sharing the keynote message on the historic dialogue between Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, Lok Sabha Public Accounts Committee Chairman K.C. Venugopal said that the ideologies of Basavanna, Mahatma Gandhi, and Narayana Guru are embedded in the Indian Constitution. He expressed concern that the very Constitution built upon their principles is now under threat, much like the threats these reformers faced in their times. He urged society to uphold their teachings to advance social justice.
He also recalled the 1925 meeting between Gandhi and Narayana Guru, describing it as a landmark event during a time when the struggle for independence and the fight against untouchability were both at their peak. The dialogue laid the foundation for the long Vaikom Satyagraha, he noted.
Presiding over the event, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader said that the grounds hosting this historic event will be named “Guru-Gandhi Maidan,” and funds would be sanctioned for the development of a park and playground there. He emphasised that true development is not limited to infrastructure but lies in fostering harmony and unity among people of all communities.
Highlighting the background of the Study Chair, senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad stated that the proposal for the Narayana Guru Study Chair began in 2013 with contributions of ₹35 lakh from his MLC funds. Further support of ₹10 lakh each from MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLC Harish Kumar was also provided. Recently, an additional ₹2 crore grant was sanctioned by the Chief Minister. Hariprasad requested further support for establishing the Shivagiri Mutt branch, following which Siddaramaiah assured the allocation of five acres of land.
Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Women and Child Welfare Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Housing and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, former Union Minister Janardhan Poojary, several MLAs, MLCs, and local leaders were present.
Earlier, Shivagiri Mutt Secretary Shubha Ganananda Swamiji submitted an official request to the Chief Minister through K.C. Venugopal, seeking land allocation and government support for the Mutt’s Karnataka unit.
Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya welcomed the dignitaries and participants.
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CM Siddaramaiah rebuts BJP's '63 per cent' corruption charge
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday refuted BJP leader R Ashoka's accusation regarding a judge's alleged remark about "63 per cent corruption" in the state, saying the opposition is "twisting facts" and attempting to shift blame from its own past tenure.
In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly had “tried to hang the BJP’s bell of sins around the Congress government's necks and has ended up embarrassing himself” by misinterpreting the Upa Lokayukta’s comments.
"In the report submitted in November 2019, Honourable Upa Lokayukta B Veerappa had stated that there was 63 per cent corruption in the State. At the time he submitted the report, the BJP government led by Yediyurappa was in power in the State,” he clarified.
Countering Ashoka’s demand for a CBI probe, Siddaramaiah listed a series of scandals under the previous BJP government, saying corruption cases were "not just one or two".
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He accused the former regime of "shameless loot" even during the COVID crisis and said "a minimum 40 per cent commission was the norm across departments".
Referring to the death of contractor Santosh Patil, alleged irregularities in irrigation projects, the PSI recruitment scam and charges levelled by BJP MLC H Vishwanath against current state party president B Y Vijayendra, he said: “If we begin listing the scams from the BJP era, an entire epic volume could be written.”
Targetting the Centre, Siddaramaiah said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who proclaims “Na khaaoonga, na khaane doonga” (Neither shall I take kickbacks, nor allow others to take it), India was 'sinking into corruption'.
He cited Transparency International rankings that place the country 96th globally.
Dismissing Ashoka’s claims as “foolishness”, Siddaramaiah asserted that his administration was ensuring transparency in “recruitment to transfers”, preventing misuse of money and power.
“Mr R Ashoka, the monumental corruption you created cannot be cleaned up in just two and a half years,” the Chief Minister said. “Give us some time — we will set everything right.”
Ashoka demanded the transfer of all corruption cases against the Congress government in the state to the CBI, and called for its resignation.
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His demand comes following an alleged remark by Upalokayukta Justice B Veerappa that the level of corruption in Karnataka stood at '63 per cent'.
"We had fought against this corrupt government both inside and outside the assembly when the MUDA scam, Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam surfaced. At that time, CM Siddaramaiah repeatedly asked for evidence of corruption. As per our constitution, courts and judges hold big positions and what they say is regarded as order or a record," Ashoka, also the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said now a judge has stated that the government in Karnataka is "63 per cent corrupt".
"We-- BJP-- had made a 60 per cent commission charge against this government, but a judge has said it is not 60, it is 63 per cent. He (judge) said it at an event where he shared the stage with other judges and senior advocates. He has alleged that there is corruption in almost all departments, nothing happens without paying commission. Karnataka is in fifth position in corruption," he claimed.
At a public event on Wednesday, Justice Veerappa had claimed that the corruption in Kerala stood at 10 per cent, while it is 63 per cent in Karnataka.
He had said that he was able to witness it after becoming the Upalokayukta.
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Recalling that the Congress government, after coming to power, formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the "40 per cent commission" charge it had made against the previous BJP government, Ashoka asked -- what probe will the government order, following the 63 per cent corruption allegation against it.
"If you have any shame left, resign and go... you formed SIT against us, constitute CBI probe on this (allegations against Congress govt), if you have guts, let the corruption in various departments come out in the open," he added.
According to the LoP, Karnataka has become an "ATM" for the Congress party to fund any state elections. Power goes to those who give more money to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
"For the recent Bihar elections, more than Rs 300 crore has gone from Karnataka itself. A breakfast meeting of Ministers was called to collect this money," he said, adding that Congress is synonymous with corruption, and corruption is Congress' home deity.
