Instead of boycotting corrupt people, we are honouring them: Ex Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde
Bengaluru, Oct 26: Hours after Congress leader D K Shivakumar arrived in the city to a grand welcome on Saturday, following his release on bail from a Delhi prison in a money laundering case, former Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde said instead of boycotting corrupt people, they are being honoured.
The former Supreme Court Judge also said, personality cult of honest people was fine, but if those corrupt are worshipped, then it is "wrong."
"We are seeing it; I don't want to take any names. We are seeing it, not only here, other places also. Instead of boycotting them, we are honouring them. we have to change such a society," Hegde said in response to a question about those released from jail being given a grand welcome.
Speaking to reporters, he stressed on the need to instill values in the society, so that people themselves start working towards bringing in the change.
"Earlier same society used to boycott the corrupt, it is not the same today... we are seeing it every day what is happening.
Shivakumar was arrested by the ED on September 3 and walked out of the Tihar Jail on Wednesday evening, after the Delhi High Court granted him a bail in the money laundering case.
State BJP has also questioned the mindset of Congress for according a hero's welcome to Shivakumar, released from jail on massive corruption and money laundering charges.
"What would be the mindset of a Political Party that accords a Hero's welcome to its leader released from Jail on massive Corruption and Money Laundering Charges?" Karnataka BJP tweeted.
The 57-year old Vokkaliga strong man, who has his own support base in parts of old Mysuru region of Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mandya and neighboring areas was greeted by a supporters with flowers, crackers and mammoth apple garland upon his arrival.
His arrest had led to widespread protest, especially in Ramanagara, Bengaluru rural, Mandya and other parts of old Mysuru region.
It had even taken a caste colour with thousands of people belonging to the Vokkaliga community taking out a protest rally recently here against the arrest of Shivakumar and to express solidarity with him.
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Tribals, Scheduled Castes preserved India's identity and soul despite foreign invasions: Bhagwat
Mumbai (PTI): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that despite foreign invasions and hardships, tribal communities and Scheduled Castes preserved the country's identity and soul, stressing the need to integrate them into the mainstream development process.
He was speaking on Saturday at the Karmayogi awards ceremony in Mumbai, where Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari was also present.
"Human life is defined by giving back to the world, as we are all part of one great family. A person works and spends for the betterment of society, not as a favour, but out of duty. In serving others, we foster our own development. By helping others to thrive, we elevate ourselves and grow as human beings. This principle is the core value of this Indian land, commonly known as a Hindu society," Bhagwat said.
"This is the society's enduring ethos, which has survived for thousands of years. For various reasons, partly because of our indifference and partly because of foreign invasion, those who preserved this ethos paid a heavy price," he said.
The foreign invaders found that this ethos, this value system of the society is its soul and the key to keeping it alive. So they ensured that those who tried to preserve this soul would be uprooted and face extreme hardships, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief noted.
But despite foreign invasions and hardships, tribal communities and Scheduled Castes preserved the country's identity and its soul, he said.
"Despite such adversities, the country's core identity remained intact among tribal communities and those belonging to SC and ST groups," he said, emphasising the need to integrate them into the mainstream development process while ensuring they receive equal access to services and facilities.
Referring to global developments, Bhagwat said the present world is "stumbling forward" and struggling to maintain balance, and asserted that India could emerge as a stabilising force.
The country must not only safeguard its own interests but also extend support to the world, he said.
"The world should get to see that the country is not only solving its own misery and sorrow but also helping the world to address similar issues," he said.
The RSS chief stressed that service to society is not a favour but a duty that contributes to one's own development.
Helping others grow also elevates individuals and strengthens the collective fabric of society, he said.
The so-called educated and developed sections have, over time, distanced themselves from these communities, Bhagwat pointed out, and called for the need to bridge this gap.
The identities preserved by these communities represent the true identity of Indian society, he said and underlined that without identity, existence itself is at risk.
