BENGALURU
CH NEWS
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes and minorities should get equal opportunities in journalism.
Speaking at an awards and felicitation programme organised by the Karnataka State SC/ST Journalists and Editors Association, he said the under-representation of these communities was due to their historical denial of education and access to literacy, rather than any lack of talent or ability.
Siddaramaiah said the Constitution had provided reservation for SCs and STs in education, employment and political fields, but there was no reservation in journalism. “None of us are inferior to anyone; we have only been deprived of opportunities,” he said.
He urged journalists to present truthful news and ensure the media becomes the voice of the poor, ordinary people and those at the margins of society. Speculative reporting should have no place in journalism, he said, adding that information given to people should be as close to the truth as possible.
Siddaramaiah said social inequality, caste discrimination and notions of superiority and inferiority continued to affect Indian society. He urged people to understand the Constitution and work towards fulfilling its ideals.
He recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister, steps were taken to ensure the Constitution’s Preamble was read in schools and colleges.
He said women, Dalits, backward classes, minorities and the poor must become economically, socially and politically empowered for meaningful social change.
Siddaramaiah also highlighted Karnataka’s SCSP/TSP legislation, saying around ₹44,000 crore is currently earmarked under the programmes. He recalled that Karnataka had enacted legislation to protect reservation in promotions for SCs and STs.
He called for collective efforts to secure rights and bring about social change.
