<p>In an apparent jibe at V Srinivas Prasad, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said people who advocated the philosophies of B R Ambedkar and 12th century saint Basavanna, are set to join the BJP. Siddaramaiah, who did not name Prasad, said the BJP advocates Hindutva and is against social justice.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Prasad, who recently quit Congress, announced his intention to join the BJP. Siddaramaiah was addressing a gathering at the state-level conference on ‘Boudha Samaj Nirman Sankalp Dina’, organised by Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (KDSS) to mark the 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar, at JK Grounds, here.<br /><br />Siddaramaiah said the BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal are against social justice and advocate Hindutva, which was opposed by Ambedkar.<br /><br />“Ambedkar converted to Buddism due to various anti-social practices in Hindu religion. He is not only a Dalit leader but a national leader. Any religion without human values is not acceptable and Ambedkar was the only person who understood the caste system,” he said.<br /><br />Siddaramaiah said it is not easy to root out the caste system. “Despite stringent laws, the practice, including untouchability, still exists. Apart from political equality, social and economic equality can eliminate anti-social practices. Education plays a pivotal role in achieving social and economic equality,” he said.<br /><br />Siddaramaiah said the state government is working for the development of the deprived classes and has introduced various programmes.<br /><br />“Karnataka was the first state in India to implement Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (Planning, Allocation and Utilisation of Financial Resources) Act, 2013, in an effective manner. Though Andhra Pradesh was the first to introduce the law, Karnataka leads in effective implementation. According to the law, funds are allocated on the basis of population and at present, SC/ST population is 24.1%. Of the Rs 85,000-crore plan, Rs 19,852 crore will be spent on the development of SC/ST communities. In earlier years, the government used to earmark hardly Rs 7,000 crore,” Siddaramaiah said.<br /><br />PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa, Manorakkita Banteji of Chetavana Buddha Vihara, KDSS convener Lakshminarayan Nagawara, MLC R Dharmasena, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B Siddaraju, and Mysuru Urban Development Authority chairman D Dhruvakumar were present.</p>
<p>In an apparent jibe at V Srinivas Prasad, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said people who advocated the philosophies of B R Ambedkar and 12th century saint Basavanna, are set to join the BJP. Siddaramaiah, who did not name Prasad, said the BJP advocates Hindutva and is against social justice.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Prasad, who recently quit Congress, announced his intention to join the BJP. Siddaramaiah was addressing a gathering at the state-level conference on ‘Boudha Samaj Nirman Sankalp Dina’, organised by Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (KDSS) to mark the 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar, at JK Grounds, here.<br /><br />Siddaramaiah said the BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal are against social justice and advocate Hindutva, which was opposed by Ambedkar.<br /><br />“Ambedkar converted to Buddism due to various anti-social practices in Hindu religion. He is not only a Dalit leader but a national leader. Any religion without human values is not acceptable and Ambedkar was the only person who understood the caste system,” he said.<br /><br />Siddaramaiah said it is not easy to root out the caste system. “Despite stringent laws, the practice, including untouchability, still exists. Apart from political equality, social and economic equality can eliminate anti-social practices. Education plays a pivotal role in achieving social and economic equality,” he said.<br /><br />Siddaramaiah said the state government is working for the development of the deprived classes and has introduced various programmes.<br /><br />“Karnataka was the first state in India to implement Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (Planning, Allocation and Utilisation of Financial Resources) Act, 2013, in an effective manner. Though Andhra Pradesh was the first to introduce the law, Karnataka leads in effective implementation. According to the law, funds are allocated on the basis of population and at present, SC/ST population is 24.1%. Of the Rs 85,000-crore plan, Rs 19,852 crore will be spent on the development of SC/ST communities. In earlier years, the government used to earmark hardly Rs 7,000 crore,” Siddaramaiah said.<br /><br />PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa, Manorakkita Banteji of Chetavana Buddha Vihara, KDSS convener Lakshminarayan Nagawara, MLC R Dharmasena, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B Siddaraju, and Mysuru Urban Development Authority chairman D Dhruvakumar were present.</p>
