'Ambedkar's struggle against exploitation, a model'

BJP leader Arun Kumar calls for discrimination-free society

Ambedkar equals Shankara in knowledge and Buddha in compassion. The concept of reservation that has been introduced by him has benefited many in the country, said Arun Kumar, BJP state organising secretary.

He was speaking at the valedictory programme of the 125th Ambedkar Jayanthi organised by Samarasya Vedike at Lions Bhavan in Chikkamagaluru on Tuesday.

“People should clean their minds and society should be free from discrimination. The contaminated minds should also be cleaned along with cleaning the outer things. Even though Ambedkar was subjected to a lot of exploitation, he did not lose his confidence. He could have reacted aggressively, but he did not do so. He was a great scholar and was supported by nine crore people who were downtrodden,” cited Arun Kumar.

“Ambedkar refused to die as a Hindu and adopted the Buddhist religion. The Hindu community can be united only when the deprived classes of the society are accepted wholeheartedly by the upper crest of the society,” he advised.

Adichunchanagiri Sringeri Shakha Mutt seer Gunanatha Swami said that the thinking of Ambedkar are very deep.

‘Reformation needed’
Madarachannaiah Swami of Chitradurga said that there is a need to bring reforms in age-old practices. “Ambedkar has introduced reservation for various sections along with dalits and, out of 50 percent reservation, 32 are enjoyed by people of various communities,” he added.

Pushpagiri Mutt seer Somashekhara Swami said that people who are ignorant about righteousness should not preach to the nation. “By declaring holiday on the birthday of social reformers, they are confining the reformers to particular castes,” he criticised and also suggested celebrating the Jayanthi of social reformers on a single day. “There is a need to spread human values by creating associations and the government should drop caste based programmes,” the seer said.

MLA C T Ravi, Zilla Panchayat President Chaitrashree and BJP State vice president Rekha Huliyappa Gowda were present.