All ST residential schools, Raichur varsity to be named after Maharishi Valmiki: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Oct 17: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that all Scheduled Tribe (ST) residential schools in the state and the Raichur University will be named after Maharishi Valmiki.
He made this announcement after inaugurating the Valmiki Jayanti programme, organised by the Department of Backward Classes Welfare here.
"All Scheduled Tribe residential schools and University of Raichur will be named after Maharishi Valmiki... it is my wish that the name and life of Valmiki, who reached the pinnacle of achievement through perseverance, should be immortalized," Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing the event, Siddaramaiah also criticised the BJP, alleging despite being in power at the Centre and in several states, the saffron party has not implemented the SCSP (Scheduled Castes Sub Plan) and TSP (Tribal Sub Plan) policies anywhere.
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"Our government was the first to reserve budget funds proportionate to the SC/ST population through these schemes. I initiated the concept of hostels for marginalized communities, and I will ensure there is one in every hobli," he said.
Further, the CM, called out the BJP, accusing it of opposing welfare schemes and "merely paying lip service" to the idea of equality.
"True equality can’t come without addressing economic and social disparities, as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar warned," he said.
Siddaramaiah also urged marginalized communities to stand united and develop the courage to speak the truth. “Don’t believe my words blindly. Think, reflect, and discern between truth and lies. That will be the real way to honor Maharshi Valmiki,” he said.
The Chief Minister also noted that historically marginalized communities like the Kuruba and Besta castes made significant contributions to literature and philosophy.
Pointing out that Kalidasa, the renowned playwright of Shakuntala, belonged to the Kuruba community, Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, came from the Besta community, and Maharishi Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana, was from a similar background, he said. "People made up stories on how a bandit like Valmiki couldn’t possibly write the Ramayana, just because these communities did not have access from education and learning Sanskrit."
Highlighting that despite societal barriers, individuals from these communities studied Sanskrit and created masterpieces like the Ramayana, which is a source of pride and inspiration for everyone, Siddaramaiah said, "When access was provided to education, they excelled and became inspirations to the world. Valmiki promoted equality and equal opportunities for all. The concept of Ram Rajya in the Ramayana represents a society where fairness and equal opportunities prevail."
He said Maharshi Valmiki had provided shelter and education to Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Rama, proving that he stood for universal values.
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I have a chance to become CM of Karnataka, says Ex-Minister B Nagendra
Ballari (Karnataka), Oct 17: Congress MLA B Nagendra, who was released on bail in the multi-crore Valmiki Corporation 'scam' case, on Thursday said he has a great future as he too has a chance to become the Chief Minister of the state.
Reacting to MLA Janardhana Reddy’s statement that there were 18 criminal cases against him, Nagendra told reporters here that there are instances of people with 100 criminal cases becoming Chief Minister.
Nagendra resigned as the Tribal Welfare Minister after the Rs 89.63 crore scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation came to light.
The Directorate of Enforcement had arrested him and he was released on bail after three and half months on Wednesday.
“Not just 18, but those with 100 cases became Chief Minister. In the coming days I too have a great future. If I work dedicatedly for the Congress, why shouldn’t I become the Chief Minister?” the former minister asked.
He said, “Didn’t Congress make an ordinary worker like me a minister? Congress has a tradition of honouring ordinary workers.”
On his meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said he explained to him about the irregularities in the Valmiki Corporation.
“In the last three months, I could not discuss with him anything. After my sudden arrest, I could not speak to him. I told him about the incident that happened,” Nagendra said.
Regarding the scam, the Congress MLA said the irregularities gave him immense pain because he and the state government want that not a single rupee should be allowed to go.
“We have recovered Rs 79 crore. Karnataka’s SIT is the only institution which has recovered 99 per cent of the amount. Only Rs three crore has to be recovered. We will not let go even a single rupee. We will not spare these thieves,” he said.
Questioning those accused of being behind the scam, he sought to know whether money was recovered from him.
“Has the money recovered from me? The SIT has given me a clean chit. After the SIT gave me a clean chit, they (BJP) were afraid that the Congress will regain strength in Ballari. Hence they decided to ruin me. However, the court took note of it and granted me bail. I will come out clean in this case,” Nagendra said.
According to him, he was targeted because he is a growing leader and the BJP was not able to tolerate him because he takes everyone along.
He accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the Congress government in Karnataka.
“When did BJP come to power on its own in Karnataka? Though we won 134 out of 224 seats in the assembly election, the BJP is trying to make petty attempts to destabilise our government.”
To a question will he would become minister again, Nagendra said the matter is left to the party high command.
“The court has granted bail. I am confident. It is left to the Chief Minister, high command and party president and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. Whatever decision they take, I will stick to it,” the MLA said.
