I am not against Brahmins, says HD Kumaraswamy

Karwar: Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy, has dismissed allegations of being anti-Brahmin and highlighted the contributions for the welfare of the Brahmin community during his government's tenure.

He clarified that his recent statement against Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was not aimed at the entire Brahmin community, but only at Joshi.

The issue began two days ago when HD Kumaraswamy stated that RSS was conspiring to make union Minister Pralhad Joshi the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. He criticised Joshi alleging that he belongs to the sect of Brahmins who have contributed to societal division and implicated in incidents such as the attack on Sringeri Math.

The statement had raised furor with a few Brahmin organizations and BJP leaders sharply objecting to it. Kumaraswamy’s statement was also seen as an anti-Brahmin stand.

"I hold Brahmins in high regard. I support those who believe in the principle of 'Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu', and not those who subscribe to the ideology of Savarkar. During my tenure as Chief Minister, we made efforts to promote the welfare of the Brahmin community, such as providing land in Bengaluru for the construction of a community hall and establishing a Brahmin Development Board," Kumaraswamy told reporters.

Kumaraswamy, expressing confidence over the JD(S) forming the next government in Karnataka, stated that there was no possibility of a coalition government and that he would strengthen the party in his own way. On some leaders quitting the party, Kumaraswamy said that such events are common in politics.

During the Yatra in Uttara Kannada Kumaraswamy promised to provide healthcare facilities in Gram Panchayats and implement programmes for farmers and fishermen. He assured to provide housing through the Suvarna Gramodaya programme to the homeless and increase old age pensions from Rs.1,200 to Rs 5,000.