Chief Minister, the address is a remnant of the funds and last meetings of Seddara and Bastian of Piri Swami and Tintini Bridge. | SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday commemorated the services of late Sri Siddaramanand Puri Swami, Peethadhipathi of Kanaka Gurupeeth (Kalaburagi Division), at Tinthini Bridge in Deodurg taluk of Raichur district in developing the Peeth educationally and spiritually with secularism as its foundation.
The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at a memorial service stood up for the late Swamiji at Tinthini Bridge.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, who could not attend the swamiji’s funeral as he was unwell, said that the Kanaka Gurupeetha Kalaburagi division headed by Sri Siddaramanand Puri Swami would spread secularism and also extend service in the education sector with spiritual principles.
Talking about the history of the establishment of Kanaka Gurupeetha for Kalyan Karnataka region, he said that Sri Siddaramanand Puri became a Swamiji, among others in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Bombay Karnataka regions, in 1992.
“I have visited Kanaka Gurupeetha four times even after I became the Chief Minister and I heard that the late Swamiji developed the Peetha with the main concept of secularism, though it was meant for Kurubas and named Kanaka Gurupeetha,” he said.
Recalling the Vachanas of Basaveshwara and Kanakadasa, the leadership of the Buddha, as well as noted secularist Ram Manohar Lohia’s view on a casteless society, the Chief Minister said that despite the strong appeal of these social reformers, the caste system was still alive in the society.
“Getting an education based on rationalism and in a scientific manner can help one build a secular society. The late Swamiji tried to build such a society based on these factors and followed the principles of anti-superstition by propagating his ideas,” he added.
Mr. Siddaramaiah reiterated that all religions suggest peace and love, not hatred. He further said that people from all communities show love and affection towards him and it is because of such gestures and blessings that he is still in politics and has become the chief minister twice and is serving the people.
He appealed to the people to come out of the slavish mindset through self-respect and scientific education.
“Despite increase in literacy percentage from 15 to 76 after independence, slavery is still alive. Youth should develop self-respect through scientific education as advised by Swamiji through Gurupeeth to come out of slavery,” he added.
Responding to a call by former MP Veerupaxappa, Mr. Siddaramaiah promised to release grants for the construction of Yatrinivas, hostels for girls and boys.
He also said that 50 acres of land has been sanctioned in Bengaluru to set up mutts for Dalits and backward communities.
The Chief Minister said that the state government had sent a proposal to the Center to list the Kurubas under Scheduled Tribes with clarification and would now send the same proposal again.
Mr. Siddaramaiah promised a medical college for Raichur district and also promised that the caste census would be released in a month or two.
Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes at the Samadhi site of late Sri Siddaramanand Puri Swamiji.
Published – 1 February 2026 10:00 PM IST