Will Siddaramaiah Deliver Grants for Dalit & Backward Mutts?

Bengaluru, May 3 (NationPress) Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has made a commitment to provide financial grants to all Dalit and backward mutts throughout the state.

A group of seers from the Federation of Backward and Dalit Mutts convened at Siddaramaiah's official residence, Kaveri, to present their charter of requests during a productive dialogue.

In response, Siddaramaiah guaranteed that the government would extend fiscal support to all concerned communities. The seers also urged the Congress-led administration to allocate land in Chitradurga district for the establishment of a Gurukul (traditional school) aimed at training priests from backward and Dalit communities.

The Chief Minister responded positively by instructing officials to locate appropriate land and compile a report. Addressing their request for land allotments in Bengaluru for backward and Dalit communities, Siddaramaiah reassured them that their appeal would be taken into consideration, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

In another meeting, community leaders, headed by Purushothamananda Swamiji of the Uppara community, also approached Siddaramaiah with various requests, including increased political representation for their community members.

The Federation submitted a memorandum requesting a grant of Rs 10 crore each for 17 projects managed by various communities across the state.

The memorandum stated: “We urge you to provide financial help of Rs 10 crore each in a single payment for the mutts striving to promote the academic advancement of the backward and Dalit communities. These mutts are currently experiencing a significant funding shortage in constructing educational facilities, community halls, and other essential infrastructure aimed at empowering marginalized groups.”

The Federation also requested a Rs 25 crore grant for constructing a Gurukul in Chitradurga district, which would offer religious instruction and training rooted in traditional systems to students from oppressed classes.

This Gurukul aims to deliver progressive teachings to priests from these communities and will also train students from Dalit and backward classes to prepare for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examinations.

Furthermore, the Federation sought Rs 2 crore in grants for 35 mutts, trusts, associations, and educational institutions for infrastructural enhancements across the state.

The delegation included notable figures such as Jagadguru Niranjanandapuri Mahaswami of Kanakaguru Peetha, Jagadguru Immadi Siddarameshwara Mahaswami of Bhovi Gurupeetha, and Jagadguru Basavamurthy Madara Channaiah Mahaswami of Shivasharana Madara Channaiah Gurupeetha, among other eminent seers.