Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the inauguration of a training programme for KAS taluk nodal officers at the Administrative Training Institute in Mysuru on Friday.
| Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday emphasised that every officer must understand the Constitution, failing which it would be impossible to implement its objectives.
Inaugurating a training programme for KAS taluk nodal officers at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) here, he said that liberty, equality, and fraternity are the ideals of the Constitution.
“Even after 75 years of its implementation and 78 years since independence, its objectives remain unfulfilled. Equal opportunities are still a dream. Equality and fraternity have not been fully realised. We must ask ourselves why it is so and look for solutions,” he said.
Recalling B.R. Ambedkar’s historic speech on November 25, 1949, – the first day of the Constitution’s adoption, he pointed out that Ambedkar had warned, “We are entering a society with inequalities and contradictions. If we do not remove these inequalities, the oppressed people will destroy the edifice of democracy.”
“This is a warning for every officer. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect democracy. Ambedkar cautioned what will happen if we fail in our responsiblity,” he noted.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the country has many castes and religions. “Buddha, Basavanna, and Ambedkar — all worked for establishing a casteless society, yet caste has not disappeared. That is why Lohia said ours is a motionless society. Society becomes dynamic only when everyone achieves social and economic power.”
The Chief Minister asked, “There is a belief that KAS officers are intellectuals. But how many of you have critical thinking? How many of you have developed scientific temper? You need to introspect pragmatically.”
“Even educated people believe in fate and the theory of karma. Does God creates such inequalities?,” he questioned.
He observed that unlike politicians who seek mandate every five years, officers do not face such a situation, and therefore they have a greater responsibility to implement people-centric programmes of the government.
“A society with greater purchasing power grows economically,” the Chief Minister opined, adding that the government’s guarantee schemes have improved the financial strength and purchasing capacity of the people.
“Our society has many talented individuals who lack opportunities. When opportunities are provided to them, there is no scope for exploitation,” Mr. Siddaramaiah observed.
He concluded his speech stating that inequality will persist as long as communal riots, fake news, caste oppression, and religious oppression continue.
Minister in charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, in charge Secretary D. Ranadeep, president of KAS Officers’ Association Shivaswamy, and others were present.
Published – July 18, 2025 08:43 pm IST
