Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made a strong pitch for social justice, educational empowerment, and cultural inclusion at a cultural dialogue event held in Tumkur on Friday.
Siddaramaiah emphasized the urgent need for rational thinking, scientific inquiry, and documentation of lived experiences to counter caste-based oppression and inequality.
“Earlier, those who tried to learn Sanskrit or gain education were punished with molten lead poured into their ears. But today, we have access to education. Record your experiences. Talent is not the monopoly of any one group,” he said at the event was organized by Praja Pragathi newspaper, the Kuruba Cultural Council, and the Sridevi Group of Educational Institutions.
He cautioned against believing in mythical narratives that, he argued, were designed to elevate upper-caste figures while undermining the intellectual capabilities of marginalized communities.
“Don’t believe tales like Kalidasa becoming a great poet because Brahma wrote sacred syllables on his tongue, or that Valmiki was once a dacoit. Whenever Shudras become intellectuals or write something meaningful, such stories are fabricated about them. Be cautious,” he warned.
He underlined the need for knowledge that challenges traditional doctrines, particularly the theory of karma, which he said has been used to justify inequality. “Our understanding must be rooted in science and critical thinking. Only then can we break the chains of social slavery and speak the truth fearlessly,” he said.
He also criticized the Manusmriti for promoting caste discrimination and stressed the transformative power of education, echoing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision. “Education must be used for the upliftment of the underprivileged, not for selfish gain,” he said.
It comes at a time when ‘caste census’ is fierecely debated. On Friday, he said there was no opposition to the Social and Educational Survey report, popularly known as ‘caste census’, during a special meeting of the state cabinet that was convened last evening to discuss it.
Published on April 19, 2025