Karnataka Cabinet to Discuss Proposal for Buddhist University, Shivakumar Says

The government will discuss a proposal to establish a Buddhist university at a Cabinet meeting in Bengaluru, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said at an International Buddhist Conference in Chamarajanagar.

Focus on knowledge, equality and social justice

Mr. Shivakumar said the Congress government was committed to social justice, equality and humanism, with a focus on improving the lives of poor and disadvantaged people.

He called for a society that placed knowledge above caste and said the ideals of Buddha, Basavanna and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar guided the government’s vision for an egalitarian society.

“We do not need a society that asks about caste; we need one that values knowledge. Buddha symbolises knowledge, while Ambedkar stands for social justice. India can truly progress only when the ideals of Buddha, Basavanna and Ambedkar shine together,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the proposed Buddhist university would be discussed by the Cabinet, while also announcing that the next International Buddhist Conference would be held in Bengaluru South district.

The government was open to organising another conference in Belagavi, as proposed by Minister Satish Jarkiholi, he said.

Welfare plans for poor families and farmers

Outlining the government’s welfare agenda, Mr. Shivakumar said it aimed to provide more than 10 lakh sites to poor people over the next two years.

He said five lakh sites would be provided in the current year as part of that target.

The government’s Bhoo Guarantee initiative was intended to help people secure houses, sites and land with valid property documents, he said.

The government was also launching the ‘Negilayogi’ programme for poor farmers who lacked ploughs and cattle.

Under the programme, free land-ploughing services would be provided to such farmers, according to Mr. Shivakumar.

He said the teachings of Buddha, Basavanna and Ambedkar continued to inspire social transformation.

The Constitution and human values were fundamental to society, he said, comparing their importance to the role of roots in sustaining a tree.

Message of peace and social unity

Mr. Shivakumar said Buddha’s message of peace and non-violence had influenced several Asian countries and transcended national boundaries.

He said wars might help conquer territory, but only humanity, love and compassion could win people’s hearts.

Connecting hearts and bringing communities together were more important than creating divisions, he said.

“Setting fire is easy, but building a house is difficult. More important than constructing houses is connecting hearts. People can build walls to divide society, but our government’s approach is to build bridges that bring people together,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the worth of people in public office should be measured not merely by their positions but by the difference they made to people’s lives.

Recalling his electoral victory by a margin of about 1.23 lakh votes, Mr. Shivakumar said public support had enabled him to serve in the Legislative Assembly for an eighth term.

He assured the gathering that the government would consider the community’s demands.

Ministers K.H. Muniyappa, P.M. Narendraswamy and Puttarangashetty, MLA A.R. Krishnamurthy and others were present.

Source: The Hindu