Understanding social system is true education: Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that true education lies in understanding the social system.

After inaugurating a felicitation programme organised in honour of K. Shivakumar, a newly elected Congress MLC, by the Dr. K. Shivakumar Felicitation Committee and the Federation of Dalit Organisations at the Senate Hall in Manasagangothri here on January 6, the Chief Minister said that without an understanding of the caste system, it will be impossible to acquire ideological, scientific and historical knowledge.

“In the absence of scientific and rational education, society cannot be understood properly, and people will tend to fall prey to superstition and regressive practices,” he said, adding that a mindset of slavery rooted in centuries of caste discrimination and untouchability continues to persist and must be eradicated.

Observing that it is rare for Dalits to enter the field of journalism, Mr. Siddaramaiah recalled that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi were themselves journalists. While it may not be possible for everyone to fully emulate them, he said sincere efforts must be made to follow the path they had shown. He said Dr. Shivakumar has consistently addressed social issues and sought solutions through his work as a journalist.

He advised the MLC to work for the welfare of Dalits in the Legislative Council and become a voice for the voiceless.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the State government had introduced various guarantee schemes aimed at reducing inequality and promoting women’s empowerment, including the Shakti scheme. He also criticised the Union government for failing to implement the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) despite being in power for several years.

Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, in-charge Minister of Mysuru district and Social Welfare Minister, K. Venkatesh, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture, and Tanveer Sait, MLA, also spoke on the occasion.

In his keynote address, senior journalist Krishnaprasad said it was perhaps for the first time that an English-language journalist and a Dalit had been nominated to the Legislative Council in the State, and thanked Mr. Siddaramaiah for the decision. He suggested that the MLC take up the cause of the University of Mysore, which is in a crisis, and work towards ensuring that Mysuru does not go the Bengaluru way.

Responding to the felicitation, Dr. Shivakumar said the credit for his nomination went entirely to Mr. Siddaramaiah and that the felicitation was, in fact, an honour to the Chief Minister. He said he had long wished to work under the leadership of Mr. Siddaramaiah, whom he described as a champion of social justice.

The MLC urged the Chief Minister to fill backlog vacancies that have remained unfilled for years, launch a campaign to issue records for Dalit lands, and establish study centres on Buddhism in all universities across the State. He also thanked Dr. Mahadevappa and promised that he will live up to the expectations of the Chief Minister and other leaders.