Avoid Company of ‘Sanatanis’, Stay Alert to RSS And Sangh Parivar: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday called on the public to avoid associating with 'sanatanis' and exercise caution around the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliate Sangh Parivar, citing their longstanding opposition to B.R. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution he authored. Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Ambedkar Study Centre at the University of Mysore, where he inaugurated the new Jnana Darshana building and the Vishwa Jnani Ambedkar Sabha Bhavana, Siddaramaiah emphasised the need for social vigilance to counter forces resistant to progressive change. His remarks underscore ongoing political fault lines in India, where debates over Ambedkar's legacy—central to the nation's Dalit and social justice movements—continue to fuel partisan rhetoric amid rising Hindu nationalist sentiments.

Siddaramaiah drew a direct link to a recent incident in which a shoe was allegedly thrown at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, interpreting it as evidence of persistent orthodox elements in society. "The fact that a 'sanatani' threw a shoe at the chief justice shows that 'sanatanis' and orthodox elements still exist in society. This act should be condemned not just by Dalits but by everyone. Only then can we say that society is moving on the path of change," he stated, urging collective repudiation to advance social equity.

He accused the RSS and Sangh Parivar of historically boycotting Ambedkar's Constitution and persisting in their antagonism, framing them as barriers to the transformative ideals Ambedkar championed. This narrative aligns with broader critiques from opposition leaders, who often portray the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led ecosystem as undermining constitutional values in favour of cultural majoritarianism, a charge the BJP routinely dismisses as vote-bank politics.

Highlighting Ambedkar's unparalleled role as a visionary architect of modern India, Siddaramaiah praised his meticulous study of global constitutions to craft one tailored to India's diverse society. "Ambedkar acquired knowledge to understand society and used it throughout his life to change society," he said, countering what he called BJP and Sangh Parivar propaganda falsely claiming Congress defeated Ambedkar in elections. Citing Ambedkar's own handwritten note attributing his 1952 Lok Sabha loss to rivals like V.D. Savarkar and Shripad Amrit Dange, the chief minister stressed exposing such "lies" to safeguard historical truth.

He touted his government's establishment of the Ambedkar School of Economics as a means to perpetuate these ideals, declaring, "Ambedkar is matchless. Another Ambedkar will never be born, but everyone should follow his ideals and walk in his footsteps." Siddaramaiah also professed personal alignment with the rational philosophies of Buddha, 12th-century reformer Basava, and Ambedkar, advocating for scientific temper over superstitious practices: "Don't be a person who studies science but still practices blind beliefs."

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The event, marking 25 years of Mysore University's Ambedkar Study Centre, served as a platform for Siddaramaiah to reinforce education's role in dismantling inequality. "Unequal opportunities have created inequality. Education is not anyone's ancestral property. What people need is opportunity. Once given, they can become scholars and intellectuals," he asserted, positioning access to knowledge as a cornerstone of social mobility.

In the context of Karnataka's polarised politics—where Siddaramaiah's Congress government navigates coalition dynamics and faces BJP accusations of minority appeasement—these comments risk intensifying communal divides. Yet, they resonate with Ambedkarite movements advocating for marginalised communities, potentially galvanising support ahead of future elections. As India grapples with balancing cultural heritage and constitutional secularism, Siddaramaiah's address highlights the enduring relevance of Ambedkar's vision in fostering an inclusive society.

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