NAVALGUND/DHARWAD: Calling for marriages between all religions and castes to bring equality in society, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged everyone to follow on the footsteps of 12th century social reformer Basavanna.
“Philosopher and social reformer Basavanna organised a wedding between an upper caste and a lower class in the 12th century and that is how he wrote the preface to bring equality in society. Along with mass marriages between brides and grooms of all religions, inter-caste marriages should also take place in society. This will help bring equality among all in society,” he said.
The chief minister was speaking during a mass marriage programme organised by MLA N H Konaraddi at the Model High School grounds in Navalgund town on Sunday. The MLA organised the programme as part of the wedding reception of his son Naveen Kumar. As many as 75 couples, including a Muslim and a Christian, got married at the programme.
Siddaramaiah said Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists, all should live as human beings and the caste system should be abolished.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, ministers K J George, H C Mahadevappa, Krishna Byregowda, Ramalinga Reddy and Santosh Lad; MLAs Basavaraja Rayareddy, Prasad Abbayya and Basavaraj Shivannavar, HESCOM president Syed Azeempeer Khadri and others were present.