Karnataka Guv Thaawarchand Gehlot highlights constitutional values, inclusive growth, strong federalism in R-Day address

Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday called for strengthening social, economic and political democracy while underlining the state's efforts in welfare delivery, infrastructure expansion, education, healthcare and farmer support.

During his Republic Day address at the Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Parade Ground here, he said January 26 marked a decisive break from centuries of monarchy and colonial rule, leading to the establishment of democracy through the adoption of the Constitution.

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He paid tribute to freedom fighters whose sacrifices shaped India's republican system and urged citizens to ensure that their legacy was preserved through responsible democratic participation.

Recalling the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr B R Ambedkar's vision, Gehlot emphasised that political democracy alone was insufficient and must evolve into social democracy rooted in liberty, equality and fraternity.

He warned that separating these values would undermine the very purpose of democracy and called upon governments to uphold all three principles together.

The Governor said, "The Government of Karnataka has treated all these three principles enshrined in the Constitution as priority issues." He added that by listening to voices from every region and community, the state was working towards just solutions, addressing regional imbalances and prioritising neglected sections through recruitments, commissions and targeted interventions.

Gehlot said Karnataka was spending Rs 1.12 lakh crore annually on public welfare and had disbursed over Rs 1.13 lakh crore under its guarantee schemes, resulting in increased purchasing power, financial empowerment of families and improved economic confidence, particularly among women.

He noted with pride that surveys indicated Bengaluru ranked first in the country in women's safety and that Karnataka's consumer price indices remained healthy.

Highlighting women-centric initiatives, the Governor said the Universal Basic Income-based guarantee schemes had enabled better education, healthcare and nutrition for children, besides promoting self-reliance.

He pointed to the formation of 'Akka' task forces, paid menstrual leave of 12 days for women workers, and direct benefit transfers reaching 1.37 crore families during 2024-25 by eliminating intermediaries.

On development and infrastructure, Gehlot said Rs 83,200 crore had been allocated for capital expenditure in the 2025-26 Budget, while projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore were underway in Bengaluru.

Karnataka, he said, was prioritising sunrise sectors such as semiconductors, aerospace, communication equipment and quantum technology, attracting major global investments.

The Governor detailed major reforms in land and revenue administration, noting that over 80 per cent of long-pending revenue court cases had been disposed of and courts moved online for transparency.

He said more than 91,000 'phodis' (subdividing land survey number) had been completed, 4,050 unrecorded villages declared as revenue villages, and over 1.11 lakh title deeds distributed, with another one lakh ready.

Education and health were described as twin pillars of Karnataka's progress. Gehlot said the state had emerged as the country's largest education hub by introducing LKG and UKG classes in government schools, and had initiated implementation of the Prof Sukhadeo Thorat committee report.

In healthcare, the Governor said Karnataka led the country in the number of primary health centres, hospitals and medical colleges relative to population, with multiple cities developing as health hubs.

He added that the state had declared a battle against malnutrition and food adulteration, treating such offences seriously.

On law and order, Gehlot said Karnataka ranked first in justice delivery as per the India Justice Report 2025 and had taken firm steps against drugs, atrocities against SCs and STs, and cybercrime.

He noted the creation of new police stations, cyber police upgrades, and special task forces to preserve communal harmony in line with 'Rashtrakavi' Kuvempu's vision of 'Sarva Janangada Shantiya Thota' (The state is a peaceful garden of all the community).

The Governor detailed extensive support for farmers, including Rs 2,250 crore for rain-related crop damage, over Rs 2,000 crore in insurance payouts, subsidies exceeding Rs 10,000 crore, fair prices for milk producers, and resolution of farmer protests related to sugarcane and crop procurement.

He also highlighted Karnataka's leadership in startups, IT-BT, decentralisation, labour welfare, power generation and urban-rural balance, citing metro expansion, Cauvery Phase-5 water supply, Indira Canteens, and the Gruha Jyoti power scheme.

Reiterating the importance of federalism, Gehlot said the Constitution envisaged a strong India built on strong states and called upon all stakeholders to preserve this balance.

Quoting Ambedkar, he reminded citizens, "However good a Constitution may be, if those who are called upon to work it happen to be a bad lot, the Constitution will prove to be bad," stressing that democracy survived through informed choices, dialogue and accountability.

Concluding, the Governor said the Republic's true strength lay in unity in diversity and commitment to constitutional values, urging citizens to work together for a secure, harmonious and prosperous Karnataka and India.

"If we protect the Constitution, the Constitution will protect us," he said.