BENGALURU: Taking a veiled swipe at the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the principles of secularism, equality, and fraternity are the cornerstones of the Constitution.
The CM added that it was the responsibility of every citizen to thwart attempts to undermine the Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha, which hosted a National Unity Conference on Saturday, “It has been 85 years since the Constitution of India was adopted. The government has decided to celebrate the 75th year of the adoption of the Constitution in a meaningful way and a Constitution Jatha is being across 31 districts of the state and will continue till February 23. A two-day National Unity Conference will be held on February 24 and 25 in Bengaluru.”
“The people should be aware of the rights enshrined in the Constitution. Every citizen should be able to fight for their rights. B R Ambedkar (the architect of the Constitution) gave three mantras of education, organisation, and fight. Many rights in the Constitution would not have been enshrined for us had it not been for the struggle that preceded it. It has been 77 years since independence. While 75 years have passed since our Constitution was adopted, not everyone has the freedom to enjoy all the rights provided for in the Constitution,” CM Siddaramaiah said.
“The India of today is in the grip of social and political inequalities. Even after all these years, inequality in the society persists. Everyone should be aware of this. There should be awareness that the Constitution provides for economic and social equality. Hence, we should question why some people are being deprived of it,” he added.
“Is Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas Really happening for real?” CM Siddaramaih added.
The Karnataka CM asserted that the level of general awareness of the law in the country was ‘low’, as many people do not know much about the Constitution.
“Every citizen of the country should have knowledge about the Constitution. A convention is being organised to enable everyone to learn whether the rights given by the Constitution are being properly implemented. Some people have no faith and respect for the Constitution and are misleading people,” the Karnataka CM said.
Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, and Social Welfare Department officials were also present at the event. (ANI)