Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday courted a controversy after he addressed President Droupadi Murmu in the singular during his speech in Kannada. The remarks were criticised by both the BJP and the JDS leaders who attributed to the CM’s “old habit” of disrespecting people. Amid the outrage, Siddaramaiah took to the social media to express his regret and apologise for the “blunder”.
Siddaramaiah, who was speaking at 'Shoshitara Jagruti Samavesha’ (Convention of the Oppressed) organised by Karnataka Exploited Oppressed Caste-Communities Federation and the Karnataka State Backward Castes Federation at Chitradurga said, “The BJP which makes tall claims, did not invite poor Droupadi Murmu, one who belongs to the oppressed class, for the Parliament inauguration. She (mentioned as ‘avalu’ in singular) was not invited despite being the custodian of the Constitution. The day before, she was not even invited to inaugurate the Ram temple. Then, they keep saying Siddaramaiah is anti-Hindu. I am not against anybody. I am pro humanity,” said Siddaramaiah, who urged the oppressed classes to identify their “real” enemy and reject them.
“BJP-RSS opposed Mandal Commission report, social justice and equal opportunities. Dr Ambedkar had warned that power should not go into the hands of those who oppose the Constitution and reservation,” said Siddaramaiah, adding that caste conventions were inevitable as long as there was caste discrimination, caste-based inequality and exploitation.
Former chief minister and JDS state president H.D. Kumaraswamy slammed Siddaramaiah and demanded his resignation. “Siddaramaiah has addressed the first citizen of our country in the singular. The CM should step down on moral grounds or the governor should remove him. Siddaramaiah has insulted the President, a woman and the oppressed scheduled tribe community that she belongs to. His behaviour is a blot on the state. It is an insult to the Constitution too,” said Kumaraswamy who recalled an incident where the police had arrested a man for addressing CM’s son and former MLA Yathindra in the singular during a public function.
BJP leader and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal charged that Siddaramaiah’s remarks was a reflection of the party and the individual’s “culture”. “We will not object to Siddaramaiah using this derogatory language within his party. But he has no right to insult a constitutional post. No chief minister has ever made such low level speech. If the CM has any respect for the President, Constitution or democracy, he must apologise immediately,” said Yatnal.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah took to X to express regret and said, “I was deeply hurt and outraged when the BJP leaders insulted President Droupadi Murmu by not inviting her for the inauguration of the Parliament building. So, I got a little emotional during my speech and addressed the President in the singular. It was a slip of the tongue. It is a practice in the rural areas to address everyone including the elders and parents in the singular. Honourable President, like me, comes from the oppressed classes and I have great respect for her. I should not have addressed her in the singular. I regret the blunder committed due to my indiscretion.”