BANGALORE: Former chairperson of Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission Dr C S Dwarakanth has expressed concern over the caste politics being played by pontiffs of religious institutions. Speaking at the 102nd birth anniversary celebration of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia organised by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Samatha Vichara Trust, he said, “The pontiffs who are supposed to correct the society are plunging into direct politics.
This has resulted in deterioration of politics. Under these circumstance, Lohiaism is the only ray of hope. It is possible to bring social reforms only if we inculcate the thinking of Dr B R Ambedkar and Lohia.”
Former University of Mysore Prof V K Nataraj, who spoke on ‘Recent Changes among Backward Classes’, said, “Lohia was a modern thinker”. He highlighted how money, caste, gender and languages control community.
However, it was very difficult for the backward classes to identify them, he observed.
Political activist Nandana Reddy was felicitated at the programme.