Admitting that the government cannot withdraw the holidays given on the occasion of birth anniversaries of eminent people from various communities, Minister for Social Welfare H. Anjaneya has said that the government will not declare a holiday for the birth anniversary of any one in the future.
“The government can offer financial aid and hold birth anniversary celebrations of eminent people from various communities, but will not declare holidays,” he said.
Speaking to presspersons before participating in the 125th birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar at Karnataka State Women’s University here on Friday, the Minister said that the government had already declared too many holidays.
The government recently announced that it would celebrate the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan on November 10, but did not declare a holiday on that day. Referring to the demand of progressive thinkers for an anti-superstition law, Mr. Anjaneya said that the government was serious on the issue.
“The law must come into effect, but before that we have to take everyone into confidence as some of them have been opposing it. The act will be formulated only after broader consultation,” he said. However, the Minister did not make a commitment whether it would be enacted in the next Assembly session.
Taking exception to the recent statement of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat who demanded a review of the reservation system, the Minister called the RSS an “anti-Dalit” and “anti-equality” organisation.
“The reservation system will exist till inequality exists in the country. It is given not only to Dalits but to other communities too.
“The Congress government condemns the statement of Mr. Bhagwat in the strongest possible manner,” he said.
Asserting that consumption of beef was not confined to India, Minister for Social Welfare H. Anjaneya has said that the Congress government will not ban beef in the State.
Stating that beef was one of the primary sources of protein and an intrinsic part of the food habits of millions, the Minister said that the habits of one community should not be imposed on others.
Food habits
“Our government is in favour of protecting the food habits of every individual. We will not ban beef in Karnataka,” he added.
