Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy addressing the gathering at Krishi Mela on the V.C. Farm premises at Mandya on December 6.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy has strongly countered Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who labelled him a ‘Manuvadi’ for writing to the Union Education Minister seeking inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita in the school curriculum.
“What is the connection between Manuvaada and the Bhagavad Gita? What does Siddaramaiah want children to be taught?” Mr. Kumaraswamy asked when reporters raised the issue in Mandya.
Speaking to the media, the Minister said, “I have requested that the Bhagavad Gita be included in the school syllabus. I have already written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. I did not make this appeal to promote religious conversion. Looking at the present condition of our society, and the way children are growing up under Siddaramaiah’s leadership, I felt this was necessary.”
He said a disturbing environment had developed in society where even parents and siblings were harming one another. “Teaching the rules of life is the government’s responsibility. The State is witnessing alarming incidents. In Hassan, a mother died by suicide and her son too ended his life. Society is changing rapidly. The maternal bond seems to be fading. To strengthen human relationships and improve society, teaching the Bhagavad Gita is essential,” he asserted.
Criticising the Chief Minister, he said, “All he (Siddaramaiah) knows is how to create conflict in society. For the past 10 years, he has enjoyed power in the name of AHINDA. What has he contributed to AHINDA? How many issues has he resolved? AHINDA comprises several smaller communities — what has he done for them? Whom has he prioritised?”
Reacting to the remark of Yathindra, MLC, that unnecessary allegations were being levelled against Mr. Siddaramaiah to politically target him, Mr. Kumaraswamy retorted, “What is Siddaramaiah’s past? Who helped him rise to this level? Who is troubling him now? He should explain all this. Yathindra is new to politics; he does not know the history.”
Published – December 06, 2025 08:14 pm IST
