Dignitaries and speakers at a seminar organized on the occasion of Bahuroopi Babasaheb National Theater Festival at Rangayana, Mysore on January 17. | Photo credit: MA Sriram
Minister for Social Welfare and Minister-in-Charge of Mysuru District Dr. HC Mahadevappa said that people across the country should be prepared and enlightened with ideas rooted in rationality and scientific temper.
He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day national seminar titled ‘Bahuroopi Babasaheb – March to Equality’ organized as part of Bahuroopi Babasaheb National Theater Festival at Rangayana here on January 17.
The minister said that the social movements led by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Shahu Maharaj were based on truth-seeking, organization and sustained struggle.
Dr. Mahadevappa further said that Dr. BR Ambedkar founded the Bahishkrita Hitakaarini Sabha in Bombay on 20 July 1924 to eradicate untouchability and promote social, educational and economic upliftment of the downtrodden. Despite 79 years of independence, incidents of social boycott and honor killings continued, he said, stressing the need for a law to curb such practices.
K. Shivakumar, MLC, said that efforts should be made to strengthen democracy in the country. He emphasized the need to think about the complete eradication of the caste system, saying that only then would peace and harmony prevail in the society. Pointing out that this year’s Bahuroopi festival carries a strong message, he said intellectuals and students have a responsibility to protect democracy.
University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor NK Lokanath said people should understand how Ambedkar was transformed through education. Education can change lives and Ambedkar, he said, is the best example of what can be achieved through education.
Rangayana director Satish Tiptur said Ambedkar’s ideas inspired millions of poets, writers, artists, filmmakers, actors, thinkers and scholars. He found that the Constitution framed by Ambedkar acts as a healing balm for the wounds caused by oppressive social practices.
Inaugurating the seminar, senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan said that such seminars are necessary to understand how Ambedkar’s works and approaches to the problems of his time can help address issues that have become urgent again not only in India but across the world. He spoke of the violation of international law by powerful nations, citing cases such as the illegal invasion of countries such as Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president.
Published – 17 Jan 2026 19:30 IST