Karnataka Information Technology/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 religious divisions for political gain.
“I don’t think (BJP state president B Y) Vijayendra and (MLC C T) Ravi are aware of the history of religion in India. Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Lingayatism were all born in India as separate religions. All these were born in India because the Hindu religion did not have the space for them (marginalised groups), it did not give them a space of dignity,” Kharge, who is a Dalit, told reporters at Kalaburagi.
Kharge asked whether the chaturvarna system was present in any other religion. “It is only in the Hindu religion,” he said, recalling a quote by Babasaheb Ambedkar that though he was born in the Hindu religion, he would not die as a Hindu. “Why? Because of the varna system,” the minister said.
Responding to a question on how those who converted to other religions will be classified in the upcoming state caste census, starting on September 22, Siddaramaiah said on September 13 that many had converted owing to the existing social structure.
“If Hindu society had equality and equal opportunities, why would conversion happen? Why did untouchability come about?” the chief minister asked, adding that leaders of neither the BJP nor the Congress had asked anyone to convert. “It is their right,” he said.
Vijayendra tore into Siddaramaiah’s comments. “This is not about history; it’s about the Congress trying to divide society. Siddaramaiah and Kharge are pushing a dangerous narrative that encourages religious conversions and disrespects Hindu beliefs,” he said on Sunday.
Ravi alleged that the Congress was raising such issues to distract attention from the Government’s failures. “Religion and casteism are different. If Kharge wants to remove casteism, we will support him. But if he wants to remove religion, we will oppose it,” the BJP MLC said.
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Ravi alleged that conversions resulted from “Congress-sponsored appeasement” and not from inequality in Hindu society. “Siddaramaiah should stop blaming Hindu society and start fixing his administration,” he said.