Beware of people dividing society on the basis of caste, religion: CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has emphasised the need for being cautious about people who try to divide society on the basis of caste and religion for their vested interests.

Addressing a large gathering at the valedictory ceremony of ‘Kittur Utsav’ at Kittur in Belagavi district on Saturday night, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that when the British came to India, they divided people and made them to fight against each other to take control of the entire nation. “Even now also there are people who try to divide you on the basis of caste and religion. Beware of them,” he said.

Recalling the history of Kittur rebellion, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that 33 years before the ‘Sepoy Mutiny’, Kittur Chennamma defeated the British. “By defeating the British, she ensured the victory of Kittur’s self-respect. It was the Congress government which held ‘Kittur Utsav’ for the first time in 2017”, he recalled.

“When the British came to India, our own people supported them. It was such people who conspired against Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna. Now also the practice has continued. People make you to fight among yourselves in the name of caste and religion. Be careful about them”, he said.

The Chief Minister lauded MLA Babasaheb Patil and his team for neat conduct of the annual cultural festival.

Emphasising the need for remembering history, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that both Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali gave sleepless nights to the British.

“They fought ferociously against the British. But when Siddaramaiah recalls history, it is projected as appeasement politics. Babasaheb Ambedkar had said that those who don’t know history cannot create history. We should not forget his words,” he said.

Mr. Siddaramaiah also reminded the gathering that it was Congress government which had submitted the proposal to declare the place where Rani Chennamma breathed her last as national memorial.

The Chief Minister said that the State government had recommended to the Union government to name the Belagavi Airport after Kittur Rani Chennamma, but it had not taken any decision on it yet.

Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Vijayanand Kashappanavar, N.H. Konaraddi, and Mr. Babasaheb Patil, MLAs, and various seers were present.