Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah voiced strong worries on Saturday about violence in the state’s coastal and Mangaluru areas. He pointed out that people from backward communities often end up jailed or killed in the name of religion. Speaking in Gadag, he asked how long kids from these castes have to keep paying the price for such conflicts.
Siddaramaiah shared these thoughts while kicking off the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Taluk Kuruba Association and the state-level Kanakotsava event. He slammed those who gain from caste inequality and exploitation, saying they hate seeing real social change. “They can’t stand it when children from backward families advance through education and better jobs,” he explained.
The chief minister stressed that in the name of God and religion, it’s always the youth from backward castes who become victims. He called on everyone not to stay quiet or go along with this. “We can’t just nod and remain silent when our communities’ children get sacrificed like this,” he urged.
Drawing from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s teachings, Siddaramaiah repeated the key mantra for exploited groups: “Education – Organisation – Struggle.” He pushed for backward communities to use education, build strong networks, and fight together to claim their rights. “As long as the caste system sticks around, true equality won’t happen. The fix is more education and better organization,” he said.
He added that education needs to be forward-thinking, based on science and reason. Even doctors and engineers who consider themselves educated often cling to superstitions and blind faith, he noted. “Sadly, the so-called educated are sometimes the biggest casteists, blocking social progress,” Siddaramaiah remarked.
The Constitution, he reminded the crowd, promotes brotherhood, equality, and respect for all religions—these values give backward communities their real power.
Turning to the upcoming Nada Habba Dussehra festival in Mysuru—Karnataka’s grand ten-day Dasara celebration—Siddaramaiah highlighted a recent controversy. He invited Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq, who hails from the state and has brought it pride, to launch the events. A former MP who served two terms opposed the move out of narrow-mindedness. But the Supreme Court stepped in to defend constitutional principles, a decision Siddaramaiah welcomed.
On a practical note, he encouraged full participation in Karnataka’s upcoming caste survey. “Everyone should list their caste clearly, and Kuruba community members need to write ‘Kuruba’ in that section,” he said. Siddaramaiah himself belongs to the Kuruba community.
Highlighting the state’s progress, the chief minister credited welfare guarantee schemes that help people across all castes, religions, and politics. Thanks to these, Karnataka now tops the nation in per capita income, showing clear economic growth.
Ministers like H.K. Patil, Legislative Council Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed, MLAs Raghavendra Hitnal and Rakesh Dhawan, former ministers, lawmakers, and community leaders joined the event.
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