Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised Union Minister Ananthkumar Hegde, saying he was uncultured and had no knowledge of Constitution and the social system of the country.
He told media persons here on Monday that Hegde was a 'Manuvadi' and lacked respect for the Constitution. "He does not know the political and parliamentary language," Siddaramaiah said.
"In the Constitution, we have said that a secular country will be built. But Hegde speaks against secularists and about changing the Constitution. People of this country have accepted the Constitution, and it cannot be changed as per the wish of casteist persons. People of all religions are Indians and 'Hindu Rashtra' cannot be built, just by glorifying one religion, he said.
Lingayat issue
When asked about the opposition to the expert panel constituted to look into Lingayat issue, the chief minister clarified that he had not formed the panel, but the minority commission formed the committee after five petitions related to the issue received by the government were handed over to it.
"We are not dividing religion, we follow Basavanna and believe in humanitarian values. Let the Panchacharyas clarify whether they are in favour of Basavanna or not," he said.
BJP reaction
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar said Hegde's statement was misinterpreted.
"He spoke about the need for bringing amendments to the Constitution in tune with the changing times and not about changing the basic structure of the Constitution," Shettar said.
MP Pralhad Joshi said there was no question of changing the Constitution as Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had said our Constitution was great and supreme.
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