Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Wednesday sang paeans of suttur math for giving impetus to education, traversing beyond religious and spiritual activities the preserve of religious institutions.
Participating in the 97th birth anniversary celebrations of previous pontiff of the math Sri Shivaratri Rajendra Swamiji, organised at the math near the foot of Chamundi Hill, the chief minister lauded the religious institution for rendering services overtaking the government.
Education is the key to economic and social progress in the society and those sections which are socially backward, are deprived of education.
He also lauded the social service of the mutt by constructing over 1,700 houses to rehabilitate flood-hit people in north Karnataka.
Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said the stupendous progress of the math could be attributed to the strong foundation laid by the previous pontiff. “Rajendra Mahaswamiji had farsightedness, concern and commitment,” praised Siddaramaiah. Quality education should be ensured for all and those communities which are deprived of education should be meted out justice.
Right to Education
He bemoaned about Right to Education, a recently introduced law effected from April 1, not being implemented in toto by the educational institutions. According to the law, 25 per cent of the students from minority communities should be given free education in schools. However, of the total 1.5 lakh such students, only 48,000 are enrolled under the scheme this academic year, Siddaramaiah added.
Suttur seer Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, Avadhoota Datta Peeta Seer Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, medical education and district in-charge minister S A Ramdas, leader of JD (S) legislative party in the assembly H D Revanna, MLAs H S Mahadeva Prasad and Chandrashekar, and others were present.