Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy was addressing a gathering at the Krishi Mela at the VC Farm premises in Mandya on December 6. Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy has strongly opposed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who called him a “Manuvadi” for writing to the Union Education Minister to include the Bhagavad Gita in the school curriculum.
“What is the connection between Manuvaada and Bhagavad Gita? What does Siddaramaiah want children to learn?” asked Mr. Kumaraswamy 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 curriculum. I have already written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. I did not make this call to promote religious conversion. Looking at the current state of our society and how children are growing up under Siddaramaiah, I felt it was necessary.”
He said a disturbing environment had developed in the society where even parents and siblings were harming each other. “Teaching the rules of life is the responsibility of the government. The state is witnessing alarming incidents. In Hassan, a mother died by suicide and her son also ended his life. The society is changing rapidly. The maternal bond seems to be disappearing. To strengthen human relations and improve the society, teaching Bhagavad Gita is essential,” he asserted.
Criticizing the chief minister, he said, “All he (Siddaramaiah) knows is to create conflicts in society. He has been enjoying power in the name of AHINDA for the last 10 years. What has he contributed to AHINDA? How many problems has he solved? AHINDA includes several smaller communities – what has he done for them? Who has he favoured?”
Reacting to Yathindra, MLC’s remark that unnecessary allegations were leveled against Mr Siddaramaiah to target him politically, Mr Kumaraswamy replied, “What is the past of Siddaramaiah? Who helped him reach this level? Who is troubling him now? He should explain all this. Yathindra is new to politics.”
Published – 06 Dec 2025 20:14 IST
