CM promises `10 crore for Nalanda University

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promised Rs 10 crore for the construction of Nalanda Buddhist University, comining up at Jyothigowdanapura, near here, during the first Karnataka State Buddhist Convention held here, on Sunday.

Speaking at the programme, he said, the State government would also allot 50 acres of land for the proposed varsity. All disputes related to the land, where the varsity will come up, will be sorted out, he said.

He said, he was against declaring holidays to mark the birth anniversaries of social reformers. Therefore, the State government will not declare a holiday on account of Buddha Poornima, he said.“At present, terrorism and Naxalism are on a rise. Humane values propounded in Buddhism can provide an answer in controlling them,” he said.

Re-conversion
MP Mallikarjuna Kharge said, the Constitution has given rights for citizens to follow the religion of their choice. However, cases of forceful re-conversion in the country are on a rise, he said.

He said, B R Ambedkar embraced Buddhism out of self-respect. Members of Dalit community have no unity, which is being misused by some elements, he said.

Convention
During the convention, hundreds of Buddhists from all around the State paid respects to the remains of Buddha.

Speaking about it, Bodhidatta Bantheji of Nalanda Buddha Vihara, said, emperor Ashoka of Maurya dynasty divided the remains of Buddha into 84,000 fragments, of which a few parts were taken by her daughter Sangamithra to Srilanka.

The remains present in Chamarajanagar were brought from Somathi Boudha Vihar in Srilanka in 2008, he said.

A 84 feet stupa will be built along with the varsity, where the remains will be installed, he added.