Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah kept the tirade going against fascist and pro-Hindutva forces in the state asserting that they were responsible for the dangerous situation in which we live in today. The violence sensitive Dakshina Kannada district had witnessed communal unrest in recent weeks leaving two youth dead.
In his address at the B.R. Ambedkar International Conference which concluded on Sunday, the Chief Minister spoke on issues related to minorities in the state.
“The presence of Pro-Hindutva forces is a matter of concern for vulnerable youth from the minorities,” he said adding, “orchestrated efforts are being made to disturb peace by triggering communal enmity and misleading the younger generation.”
Mr Siddaramaiah also spoke on the need to ensure higher education to all women and said this would create equal opportunities irrespective of gender across industries. “Women are being denied basic education for a long time and this has led to inequality based on gender,” he said adding that the situation is however gradually changing and cited the presence of 102 women corporators in the 198-seat BBMP.
On the plight of Devadasis in the state, the Chief Minister said that the Jayamala committee report will be considered and will be out in the public domain soon.
He promised that grievances related to the employment assurance scheme will be looked into with all seriousness.
On the importance of the caste census, the report of which is yet to be published, he said “A caste census is essential to determine whether the government is efficiently reaching out to everyone in society. Such information will help us formulate all-inclusive policies.” On the murder of writer M.M. Kalburgi, the Chief Minister said that the probe was still on but the culprits have not been found yet. “With the CBI probing the matter, we are making honest efforts to ensure justice in this case,” he said.
