‘Avoid Company of Sanatanis’: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Warns Against RSS Influence

On Saturday, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah warned that people should not support sanatanis and take care in relation to the ideological parent of BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Sangh Parivar. He blamed them of historical opposition to BR Ambedkar and the Constitution drafted under his leadership.

Siddaramaiah encouraged people to associate themselves with rational and progressive forces in the society.“Keep your company right. Associate with those who stand for society, not with those who oppose social change or with 'sanatanis',” news agency PTI quoted Siddaramaiah as saying.

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The chief minister also linked to a recent incident when a shoe was thrown to the chief justice of India BR Gavai by terming it the expression of deep-rooted orthodoxy.

“The fact that a 'sanatani' threw a shoe at the Chief Justice shows that 'sanatanis' and orthodox elements still exist in society. This act should be condemned not just by Dalits but by everyone. Only then can we say that society is moving on the path of change,” he said.

‘RSS and Sangh Contrary Ambedkar’s Constitution’

Siddaramaiah claimed that RSS and Sangh Parivar had never been supportive of ambedkar vision and they are still defiant of the values of the Constitution.

Siddaramaiah, calling Ambedkar a visionary who belonged to the category of reformers, said, “They are spreading lies that the Congress defeated Ambedkar in the elections. But the truth is what Ambedkar himself wrote in his own handwriting – ‘Savarkar and Dange defeated me.’ Such truths must be placed before society to expose the falsehoods of the Sangh Parivar.”

Calling Ambedkar a visionary who used knowledge as a tool for reform, Siddaramaiah said, “Ambedkar acquired knowledge to understand society and used it throughout his life to change society.”

He also emphasised on the attempts of his government to advance the legacy of Ambedkar. “I established the Ambedkar School of Economics so that those who study Ambedkar may walk in his path. Ambedkar is matchless. Another Ambedkar will never be born, but everyone should follow his ideals and walk in his footsteps,” he said.

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'Education is not to be a privilege'

He was addressing the silver jubilee festivities of the Ambedkar Study Centre of Mysore University and the launching of the new Jnanadarshana building.

In congratulating Mysore University on the 25 years of the Ambedkar Study Centre and the opening of the Vishwa Jnani Ambedkar Sabha Bhavana, Siddaramaiah said that it was a welcome move to ensure equality through education.

“Unequal opportunities have created inequality. Education is not anyone’s ancestral property. What people need is opportunity. Once given, they can become scholars and intellectuals,” he said.

‘Reject blind belief’

Siddaramaiah claimed to be inspired by the ideas of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar, and stated that the social development should be rational.

“That is why I hope rationality and scientific thinking will grow. Don’t be a person who studies science but still practices blind beliefs,” he said.

Reiterating Ambedkar’s contribution, Siddaramaiah said, “He studied and absorbed all the constitutions of the world and gave India the best Constitution suitable for its society.”

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