<p>District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai on Thursday gave a call for building a caste-free India in the coming years.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He was addressing the gathering at the Kanaka Jayanti celebrations organised by the district administration in association with Karavali Kurubara Sangha. <br /><br />Rai, who lamented over caste pervading all sectors in the society, said, be it the legislature, the executive, the judiciary or even journalism, caste is the key feature. Literature too is not devoid of casteism, he added.<br /><br />Without taking names of any political parties, Rai said that one party is named ‘Jatyateetha’ (secular), but is indulging in wooing a particular caste. There are other organisations too, that provoke religions for political gains.<br /><br />Saying that even undivided Dakshina Kannada district was not bereft of caste practices, Rai reminded that Billavas were not allowed near the wells and the houses of upper class people in the past.<br /><br />Fight against menace <br />One should ensure peace to the soul of Kanakadasa, who, during his lifetime, fought against social malaise and created awareness among the people through his Dasa Keerthanas. It was nothing short of a revolution, the minister felt.<br /><br />Rai told the gathering, “Now, Siddaramaiah who also hails from your (kuruba) community, is at the helm of the state government as chief minister. Till a few years ago, leaders from only influential communities were ascending the seat of power.”<br /><br />Siddaramaiah, who introduced various programmes in the interest of social justice, has empowered many backward classes, said Rai.<br /><br />Earlier, the portrait of Kanakadasa, placed on a goods autorickshaw, was taken out in procession till Town Hall. <br /><br />Cultural troupes, including artistes of dollu kunitha and kamsale, led by women holding ‘poorna kumbhas’ (water tumblers decorated with mango leaves and flowers), added colour to the procession. <br /><br />Two men dressed as Kanakadasa and Sangolli Rayanna were the added attraction. <br />DH News Service</p>
<p>District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai on Thursday gave a call for building a caste-free India in the coming years.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He was addressing the gathering at the Kanaka Jayanti celebrations organised by the district administration in association with Karavali Kurubara Sangha. <br /><br />Rai, who lamented over caste pervading all sectors in the society, said, be it the legislature, the executive, the judiciary or even journalism, caste is the key feature. Literature too is not devoid of casteism, he added.<br /><br />Without taking names of any political parties, Rai said that one party is named ‘Jatyateetha’ (secular), but is indulging in wooing a particular caste. There are other organisations too, that provoke religions for political gains.<br /><br />Saying that even undivided Dakshina Kannada district was not bereft of caste practices, Rai reminded that Billavas were not allowed near the wells and the houses of upper class people in the past.<br /><br />Fight against menace <br />One should ensure peace to the soul of Kanakadasa, who, during his lifetime, fought against social malaise and created awareness among the people through his Dasa Keerthanas. It was nothing short of a revolution, the minister felt.<br /><br />Rai told the gathering, “Now, Siddaramaiah who also hails from your (kuruba) community, is at the helm of the state government as chief minister. Till a few years ago, leaders from only influential communities were ascending the seat of power.”<br /><br />Siddaramaiah, who introduced various programmes in the interest of social justice, has empowered many backward classes, said Rai.<br /><br />Earlier, the portrait of Kanakadasa, placed on a goods autorickshaw, was taken out in procession till Town Hall. <br /><br />Cultural troupes, including artistes of dollu kunitha and kamsale, led by women holding ‘poorna kumbhas’ (water tumblers decorated with mango leaves and flowers), added colour to the procession. <br /><br />Two men dressed as Kanakadasa and Sangolli Rayanna were the added attraction. <br />DH News Service</p>
