Cases against Kannada activists will be withdrawn: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured that his government will withdraw the cases filed against those who have fought for the Kannada land and language.
He was speaking on Saturday after inaugurating a grand procession of Bhuvaneshwari and Annamma deities at the city's Mysuru Bank Circle, organised under the leadership of Vatal Nagaraj, president of the Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha, as part of the Kannada Rajyotsava program.
"Vatal is a fighter who does not compromise on the issue of Kannada. Even when Devaraj Urs offered him a ministership, Vatal did not agree to leave the Kannada party and the Kannada struggle," the Chief Minister said in praise.
"We all must cultivate pride and love for the Kannada land, water, language, and culture. We must foster a Kannada atmosphere in our land. For this, no matter what language anyone speaks to you, you must reply in Kannada," Siddaramaiah called upon the people.
"Everyone who has built a life on Kannada soil respects the Kannada environment. Let's take an oath that we will speak in Kannada on Kannada land. May everyone feel the pride that this is our land, our soil, our water, our language," the Chief Minister said.
Responding to the demand by Vatal Nagaraj and Sa.Ra. Govindu to confer a posthumous doctorate on Devaraj Urs from the University of Mysore, the Chief Minister assured that he would discuss the matter with the syndicate members.
"Mysore University had offered me a doctorate in the past. But I did not accept it. I said no. It is my personal feeling that one should earn a doctorate by studying and expanding one's knowledge," the Chief Minister stated.
In favor of two-language policy: "I am personally in favor of a two-language policy. However, for a two-language policy to be implemented as law, it needs to be discussed in the cabinet meeting," Siddaramaiah said on this occasion.
"The members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi (M.E.S) are Kannadigas. If any of them create mischief, we will quell it. The government is ready to do everything necessary for the development of Kannada schools in the border areas," he said.
Belagavi is a part of Karnataka: "There is no compromise on the Belagavi issue. The Mahajan report is final. Belagavi is Kannada land, a part of Karnataka. No one can deny this," the Chief Minister clarified.
Vatal Nagaraj, President of Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha, Sa.Ra. Govindu, President of Dr. Rajkumar Fans' Association, and others were present at the event.
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CM Siddaramaiah labels Kumaraswamy 'Manuvadi" over Bhagavad Gita curriculum push
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday took a swipe at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, by calling him a "Manuvadi" after his alliance with the BJP, for seeking the inclusion of Bhagavad Gita in curriculum for students.
The CM's dig came in response to Kumaraswamy's recent letter to Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, requesting the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita in the curriculum of students.
"After Kumaraswamy joined hands with the BJP for elections, he has become a Manuvadi," Siddaramaiah told reporters here after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary here.
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Remembering Ambedkar, Siddaramaiah highlighted his contribution to the Constitution and his relentless fight to provide social justice.
The CM noted said fed up with social and caste system in Hinduism, and unable to reform it, Ambedkar accepted Buddhism.
He said, "Ambedkar, towards the end of his life, quit Hinduism and joined Buddhism. He was born in Hinduism, but cannot die in Hinduism, because he could not reform Hinduism, despite several efforts, so he accepted Buddhism."
