Central University of Karnataka Chancellor U R Ananthamurthy opined that people of Backward Classes and Dalits, who struggle for equality, become corrupt like those from upper castes once they come to power.
During his first address to students and faculty of CUK and Gulbarga University at M G Hall on Tuesday after assuming office as chancellor, Ananthamurthy said that time is divided into three thirsts — thirst of equality, modernity and spirituality.
Ananthamurthy said that if a tailor or shoemaker is excellent in his work, he too deserves an honorary doctorate.
When a participant asked him why universities give away honorary doctorates to politicians, seers, businessmen and others, Ananthamurthy replied that any person, irrespective of his profession and who is extraordinary in his work, deserves the honour.
The Jnanpith awardee added that though a few people become corrupt, millions of oppressed struggle for equality.
He said humanity takes birth only among the oppressed and not in those who exploit the poor. Spirituality is always an alternative to religion, he added. Ananthamurthy regretted that money has been creating a gap among the people that caste had created in the past.