Bengaluru, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the Karnataka government’s decision to limit the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ to just two stanzas during state events. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he emphasized that the Congress party has consistently honored the national anthem, flag, and constitutional values.
Shivakumar stated that the party’s position on the national song has been clear for a long time. He highlighted Congress’s significant role in the fight for India’s independence and its commitment to upholding democratic values.
“The stance on ‘Vande Mataram’ is not new for my party. We respect all national symbols and constitutional values,” he said. He further noted that Congress played a pivotal role in bringing forth the national flag, anthem, and democracy itself.
On another note, the Chief Minister commented on the Kasturirangan report, assuring that the government would consult with farmers before making any final decisions. After a visit to Mangaluru, he plans to tour three or four districts to gather farmers’ opinions.
“I will meet with farmers, and we will hold a special session from September 21 to 23 to discuss their issues, road-related concerns, and the report,” he added. This special session aims to address farmers’ needs, as he acknowledged that previous opportunities had been missed.
In light of recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids related to Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Shivakumar defended his colleague, asserting that Jarkiholi has done nothing wrong. He expressed confidence in Jarkiholi’s integrity and criticized the selective targeting of Congress leaders by investigative agencies.
“I know they are planning to target three or four people. They are trying to entrap the entire Congress and opposition parties,” he alleged, pointing out that members of the BJP who have been involved in similar activities have not faced scrutiny.
Lastly, Shivakumar defended the government’s decision to set a deadline for surrendering illegal weapons, referencing former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde’s successful appeal during his tenure, which encouraged many to turn in their arms.
“After that, thousands came forward and surrendered their weapons to the government,” he concluded.
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