Justice Dixit cites Ambedkar, highlights Brahmins' contribution in drafting Indian constitution
Bengaluru, Jan 21 (PTI): Karnataka High Court judge Justice Krishna S Dixit has highlighted the contributions of Brahmins in drafting the Indian Constitution, citing a statement by Dr B R Ambedkar.
Speaking at 'Vishwamitra', a two-day Brahmin convention held on January 18-19 to mark the golden jubilee of the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, he said, "Dr Ambedkar once mentioned at the Bhandarkar Institute that if B N Rau had not prepared the draft of the Constitution, it would have taken another 25 years to be framed."
Justice Dixit noted that three of the seven members in the Constitution's drafting committee — Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, N Gopalaswami Ayyangar, and B N Rau — were Brahmins, underscoring their role in shaping the nation's legal framework.
Clarifying his stance on Brahmins, he said the term should be associated with "Varna" rather than caste.
He pointed out that Vedavyasa, who classified the Vedas, was the son of a fisherwoman, and Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, belonged to either a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe.
"Have we (Brahmins) looked down on them? We have worshipped Lord Rama for centuries, and his values have been incorporated into the Constitution," he said.
Justice Dixit also mentioned his past association with non-Brahmin nationalist movements, stating that after becoming a judge, he had distanced himself from all other activities and was speaking within the constraints of his judicial position.
Justice V Srishananda, who also attended the event, defended the necessity of such gatherings, responding to critics who questioned the grandeur of the convention amid widespread socio-economic struggles.
"Many ask why such large events are needed when people struggle for food or education. But these gatherings are essential to bring the community together and discuss its issues. Why shouldn't such events be held?" he asked.
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41 lakh illicit liquor seized, 1.84 lakh arrested in major drive: K'taka Minister tells Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Excise Department has conducted a statewide crackdown on illegal liquor trade over the last two years, resulting in arrests and seizures of alcohol, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur said on Tuesday.
As many as 1,09,017 people were arrested, and seizures included 13.66 lakh litres of liquor and 27.19 lakh litres of beer, he said in a written reply to a starred question by Harihar BJP MLA B P Harish in the Karnataka Assembly.
The Minister said the enforcement drive covered the financial year 2023–24, 2024–25 up to June, and 2025–26 from July to October, targeting unauthorised liquor manufacture, storage, sale and transportation across the State.
"During this period, statewide enforcement drives resulted in a total of 1,84,570 raids against illegal liquor sales,” Timmapur said.
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He noted that 9,179 non-bailable cases and 91,968 bailable and compoundable cases under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, were registered during the same period.
According to him, there have been no reports indicating that students have become addicted to alcohol due to illegal liquor sales.
The sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, and the department has issued periodic instructions to initiate legal action against violators, with strict enforcement and investigation measures in place, the Minister said.
Excise officials are carrying out regular road and night patrols, collecting intelligence, monitoring habitual offenders and conducting raids to identify illicit distillation units, unauthorised liquor outlets and spurious liquor manufacturing centres, he said, adding the department is also enforcing the law to prevent the production, storage, sale and transport of spurious, non-duty-paid and unauthorised liquor.
Regular patrols are being conducted on national and state highways, with suspicious vehicles being subjected to checks.
At the district level, standing committee meetings are held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners, and joint operations are carried out with the police and forest departments to curb excise-related offences.
The department is also conducting awareness programmes through Gram Sabhas and in schools and colleges to educate the public and students about the physical, mental and social health hazards associated with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Timmapur added.
