Karnataka Info Expertise/Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday defended Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks about inequality in Hindu society, which have drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the ruling Congress of stoking spiritual divisions for political acquire.
“I don’t suppose (BJP state president B Y) Vijayendra and (MLC C T) Ravi are conscious of the historical past of faith in India. Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Lingayatism had been all born in India as separate religions. All these had been born in India as a result of the Hindu faith didn’t have the area for them (marginalised teams), it didn’t give them an area of dignity,” Kharge, who’s a Dalit, advised reporters at Kalaburagi.
Kharge requested whether or not the chaturvarna system was current in some other faith. “It’s only within the Hindu faith,” he mentioned, recalling a quote by Babasaheb Ambedkar that although he was born within the Hindu faith, he wouldn’t die as a Hindu. “Why? Due to the varna system,” the minister mentioned.
Responding to a query on how those that transformed to different religions can be categorised within the upcoming state caste census, beginning on September 22, Siddaramaiah mentioned on September 13 that many had transformed owing to the prevailing social construction.
“If Hindu society had equality and equal alternatives, why would conversion occur? Why did untouchability come about?” the chief minister requested, including that leaders of neither the BJP nor the Congress had requested anybody to transform. “It’s their proper,” he mentioned.
Vijayendra tore into Siddaramaiah’s feedback. “This isn’t about historical past; it’s in regards to the Congress making an attempt to divide society. Siddaramaiah and Kharge are pushing a harmful narrative that encourages spiritual conversions and disrespects Hindu beliefs,” he mentioned on Sunday.
Ravi alleged that the Congress was elevating such points to distract consideration from the Authorities’s failures. “Faith and casteism are totally different. If Kharge desires to take away casteism, we’ll assist him. But when he desires to take away faith, we’ll oppose it,” the BJP MLC mentioned.
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Ravi alleged that conversions resulted from “Congress-sponsored appeasement” and never from inequality in Hindu society. “Siddaramaiah ought to cease blaming Hindu society and begin fixing his administration,” he mentioned.