Garlanded statues of B.R. Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram at Jalige in Devanahalli taluk. Photo: Minister K.H. Muniyappa’s media group
Devanahalli: Social Welfare Minister and district in-charge K.H. Muniyappa on Saturday unveiled seven-foot statues of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram at Jalige in Devanahalli taluk, at a programme organised by the Ambedkar Seva Sangha of the Jalige gram panchayat.
The 40-year-long struggle for internal reservation has ended, Muniyappa said. It was implemented under the leadership of Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar, and the problem, which had been like a dispute between brothers, has been resolved, he said. “We should stay together like brothers. Struggles should happen only when unavoidable, but we should move ahead with love and affection towards the more advanced communities; only then is our development possible,” he said.
He said he was happy to unveil the statues of Ambedkar, who gave a grand Constitution for the all-round development of all castes, classes and religions, and of Jagjivan Ram, the former Deputy Prime Minister known as the architect of the Green Revolution.
Muniyappa recalled that the country gained freedom through the struggles of several leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Maulana Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru and Jagjivan Ram, and said Nehru’s sacrifice, including years in jail, was great. He said the country got a grand Constitution because Gandhi and Nehru proposed Ambedkar’s name as chairman of the Constitution drafting committee.
By installing statues of two great men together, the Ambedkar Seva Sangha had sent a message that “we are all one”, he said.
Roads, drains and underground drainage work are under way in Devanahalli taluk, and more development programmes will be taken up in phases, Muniyappa said. It is his resolve to work sincerely for the all-round development of Devanahalli, he added.
Siddaraju Swamiji, pontiff of Palanahalli Matha, presided. District Guarantee Implementation Committee president Rajanna, DCC president Prasanna Kumar, taluk Guarantee Implementation Committee president Jagannath, Devanahalli block Congress president K.C. Manjunath, local leaders and Dalit leaders were among those present.
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