Caste consciousness is increasing among educated people, says Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

He expressed concern that though social reformers and spiritual leaders like Buddha and Basavanna tried to wipe away the caste system several centuries ago, caste consciousness is increasing of late, especially among educated people. Society is witnessing inequality mainly due to caste system, he said, while stressing on the need to ensure equality. 

Expressing concern about an increase in caste consciousness and superstitious attitude among educated people, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called upon students to shun such superstitious beliefs. 

On June 19, the Chief Minister honoured meritorious students who have done well in SSLC and PUC exams at a programme jointly organised by the Social Welfare Department and Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions’ Associations in Bengaluru, along with Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti and Social Welfare Minister H. C. Mahadevappa.

Addressing the gathering, he said, “Several doctors are yet to shun blind beliefs. Educated people continue to believe in fate and the karma philosophy.” 

He expressed concern that though social reformers and spiritual leaders like Buddha and Basavanna tried to wipe away the caste system several centuries ago, caste consciousness is increasing of late, especially among educated people. Society is witnessing inequality mainly due to caste system, he said, while stressing on the need to ensure equality. 

Pointing out that elders teach caste and religion based discrimination to children, he stressed on the need for teachers and parents to first come out of ignorance and superstition. “Only then will students evolve on the basis of scientific temper and shape a bright future for themselves,” he said. 

Referring to poet laureate Kuvempu’s famous lines that “Every child is born as vishwa manava (universal man). But, as it grows, we turn it into alpa manava (petty man)”, the Chief Minister said that teachers and parents have the responsibility of preventing children from becoming petty men.