Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presenting the D. Devaraj Urs and L.G. Havanur awards to Prof. Ravivarma Kumar during the first anniversary of Mysuru BCM Hostel Old Students Association in Mysuru on Friday (November 21).
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday (November 21) said that students studying in government hostels are indebted to society and must take efforts to give back once they progress in life. Those who completed their education while staying in hostels, cleared Union Public Service Commission and Karnataka Public Service Commission examinations, and entered government services should become role models and work towards building a caste-free society, he added.
He was speaking after presenting the D. Devaraj Urs and L.G. Havanur Award to noted advocate Prof. Ravivarma Kumar at a programme organised by the Mysuru Backward Classes and Minorities (BCM) Hostel Old Students’ Association on the occasion of its first anniversary and Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations, held at the Karnataka State Open University Convocation Hall.
The Chief Minister said that educated individuals must neither practise nor promote caste. “If educated people continue to uphold the caste system, what is the purpose of education?” he asked.
Stating that no religion advocates hatred, he emphasised that everyone should view others as equals. Education, he said, should not lead to caste divisions but must be scientific. India’s literacy rate has now reached 78%, compared to just 10–11% at the time of Independence, he noted.
Superstitions, he observed, must be eliminated, and education must respond to social issues. Recalling social reformer Basavanna, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that 800 years ago, Basavanna had spoken against superstitions in order to build a humane society.
The Chief Minister said that 3.88 lakh students are currently availing hostel facilities run by the State government. Mysuru city alone has around 45 hostels accommodating about 6,500 students. The government, he added, has allocated ₹3,500 crore for BCM hostels.
Describing D. Devaraj Urs as a leader who empowered backward classes, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had launched various Bhagya schemes during his first term and the guarantee schemes in his second term as Chief Minister. “Bhagya schemes are meant to support the poor, while the guarantee schemes aim to remove inequality,” he said.
He added that caste cannot be eradicated unless inequality in society is eliminated.
Mysuru district Minister in-charge H.C. Mahadevappa, MLAs K. Harish Gowda and D. Ravishankar, MLCs K. Shivakumar and Thimmaiah, BCM Hostel Old Students’ Association president Shivaswamy and others were present.
Published – November 21, 2025 08:11 pm IST
