Date : 14-10-2017
Dharwad: The remedy for various social anomalies in Indian society is in modernising the country in the true sense, said former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar on October 13.
Speaking after inaugurating the Babu Jagjivan Ram Studies, Research and Extension Centre of Karnataka University, Meira Kumar said the continuing atrocities against the downtrodden, women and weaker sections of the population were not a sign of true progress.
“It is the duty of all the citizens to put an end to regressive practices. Having the state-of-the-art infrastructure is important for the nation’s development but that alone doesn’t ensure modernisation,” she said, describing modernity as having reformed ideas and attitude.
“We are not modern if the same attitude of contempt, hatred and neglect towards the downtrodden classes continues. I am often asked when the reservation system will be over and I respond by asking why no one asks when the caste system will end,” she said.
Countering the common notion that the British rule helped inculcate modernism in Indian society, Kumar said that during the 190 years of British rule, India was never responsive to downtrodden communities. Instead, their woes were magnified as society remained backward.
Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya announced the sanctioning of Rs 9 Crore to build student hostels at the university.
Vice Chancellor Pramod Gai, Centre Director Harish Ramaswamy and journalist Patil Puttappa also spoke.
