<p>Vijayapura: Some people who don’t even understand the Constitution criticise it. Without the Constitution, we wouldn’t have had freedom, equality, education, and voting rights for women. Because of the Constitution, people in this country have strength. For citizens to live in peace, happiness, and harmony, the Constitution is essential, said AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.</p><p>He was speaking at the remembrance programme of Fa Gu Halakatti, Banthanal Sanganabasava Shivayogi, B M Patil and Bangaramma Sajjan, who were instrumental in establishing and developing the BLDE institution, here on Sunday.</p><p>“Some people say the individual comes first, and then the nation. I don’t know how such thoughts struck their minds. If the nation survives, then everyone survives. So, we should understand that the nation comes first,” he said, in a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p><p>Talking about the caste census in the country, Kharge said those who have benefited from various facilities say it is not necessary. But those who are deprived of these benefits insist that a caste census should be done. Caste census is essential to bring equality in society and to provide opportunities to the underprivileged, he emphasised.</p><p><strong>‘No regrets’</strong></p><p>“I fought as the Leader of the Opposition in 1999 and worked hard to bring the party to power. But S M Krishna became the chief minister. Still, I have no regrets about missing that opportunity,” he said.</p><p>“I have never chased power. I earned positions through my efforts. From being the Congress President to now holding the AICC post, I have reached this stage. You can’t achieve anything if you work with selfish intentions,” he added.</p><p>“When I was a six-year-old boy, I lost my mother and sister during the Razakar violence. I was raised under the care of my father, said Kharge, turning emotional as he recalled several incidents unfolded in his life.</p><p><strong>‘Dhankhar must reveal’</strong></p><p>Former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar himself should reveal the reason behind his sudden resignation, said Kharge.</p><p>Responding to questions posed by media persons here on Sunday, he said only Modi and Dhankhar know the real reason for the vice president’s resignation. We are not aware of what happened between them.</p><p>Dhankhar has always sided with the central government. We were never given a chance to speak about farmers’ problems, the plight of the poor or international matters, he expressed disappointment.</p><p>Whenever we tried to raise issues concerning the poor, it was portrayed as a Hindu-Muslim conflict, he added.</p>
<p>Vijayapura: Some people who don’t even understand the Constitution criticise it. Without the Constitution, we wouldn’t have had freedom, equality, education, and voting rights for women. Because of the Constitution, people in this country have strength. For citizens to live in peace, happiness, and harmony, the Constitution is essential, said AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.</p><p>He was speaking at the remembrance programme of Fa Gu Halakatti, Banthanal Sanganabasava Shivayogi, B M Patil and Bangaramma Sajjan, who were instrumental in establishing and developing the BLDE institution, here on Sunday.</p><p>“Some people say the individual comes first, and then the nation. I don’t know how such thoughts struck their minds. If the nation survives, then everyone survives. So, we should understand that the nation comes first,” he said, in a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p><p>Talking about the caste census in the country, Kharge said those who have benefited from various facilities say it is not necessary. But those who are deprived of these benefits insist that a caste census should be done. Caste census is essential to bring equality in society and to provide opportunities to the underprivileged, he emphasised.</p><p><strong>‘No regrets’</strong></p><p>“I fought as the Leader of the Opposition in 1999 and worked hard to bring the party to power. But S M Krishna became the chief minister. Still, I have no regrets about missing that opportunity,” he said.</p><p>“I have never chased power. I earned positions through my efforts. From being the Congress President to now holding the AICC post, I have reached this stage. You can’t achieve anything if you work with selfish intentions,” he added.</p><p>“When I was a six-year-old boy, I lost my mother and sister during the Razakar violence. I was raised under the care of my father, said Kharge, turning emotional as he recalled several incidents unfolded in his life.</p><p><strong>‘Dhankhar must reveal’</strong></p><p>Former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar himself should reveal the reason behind his sudden resignation, said Kharge.</p><p>Responding to questions posed by media persons here on Sunday, he said only Modi and Dhankhar know the real reason for the vice president’s resignation. We are not aware of what happened between them.</p><p>Dhankhar has always sided with the central government. We were never given a chance to speak about farmers’ problems, the plight of the poor or international matters, he expressed disappointment.</p><p>Whenever we tried to raise issues concerning the poor, it was portrayed as a Hindu-Muslim conflict, he added.</p>
