Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paying addressing at a tribute function for late Sri Siddaramanand Puri Swami at Kanaka Gurupeetha at Tinthini Bridge in Deodurg taluk of Raichur district on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday recalled the services of the late Sri Siddaramanand Puri Swami, Peethadhipathi of Kanaka Gurupeetha (Kalaburagi division), at Tinthini Bridge in Deodurg taluk of Raichur district in developing the Peetha educationally and spiritually with secularism as its basis.
The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at a tribute function got up for the late swamiji at Tinthini Bridge.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, who couldn’t attend the funeral of the swamiji as he was unwell, said that the Kanaka Gurupeetha Kalaburagi division, which was headed by Sri Siddaramanand Puri Swami, will spread secularism and also extend service in the education sector with spiritual principles.
He spoke of the history behind the establishment of the Kanaka Gurupeetha for the Kalyan Karnataka region and said that Sri Siddaramanand Puri was made the swamiji, among others in the Bengaluru, Mysuru and Bombay Karnataka regions, in 1992.
“I have visited Kanaka Gurupeetha four times, even after becoming Chief Minister, and I heard that the late swamiji developed the Peetha with the prime concept of secularism, though it was meant for Kurubas and named Kanaka Gurupeetha,” he said.
The Chief Minister recalled the Vachanas of Basaveshwara and Kanakadasa, the guidance of the Buddha, and also the opinion of noted secularist Ram Manohar Lohia about a casteless society and said that despite a strong appeal by these social reformers, caste system is still alive in society.
“Getting 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 on the basis of these factors and followed anti-superstition principles by spreading his thoughts,” he added.
Mr. Siddaramaiah reiterated that all religions suggest peace and love, not hatred. He further said that people of all communities extend love and affection for him and because of such gestures and blessings, he is still in politics and has become Chief Minister twice and is serving people.
He appealed to people to come out of the slave mindset through self-respect and scientific education.
“Despite the increase in the percentage of education from 15 to 76 after Independence, slavery is still alive. The youth should develop self-respect with scientific education, as the swamiji advised through the Gurupeetha, to come out of slavery,” he added.
Responding to the appeal by the former MP Veerupaxappa, Mr. Siddaramaiah promised to release grants to construct a Yatrinivas, hostels for girls and boys.
He also said that 50 acres of land has been sanctioned in Bengaluru to establish mutts for Dalits and backward communities.
The Chief Minister said that the State government has sent a proposal to the Centre to include Kurubas under Scheduled Tribes with clarifications and now, will again send the same proposal.
Mr. Siddaramaiah promised a medical college for Raichur district and also promised that the caste census will be released in a month or two.
Earlier, the Chief Minister paid a floral tribute to the Samadhi place of the late Sri Siddaramanand Puri Swamiji.
Published – February 01, 2026 10:00 pm IST
