Shun racial bias, warns CM

Our Correspondent

KULLU, DECEMBER 8

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said stringent action would be taken against those found guilty of racial discrimination.

Presiding over the 11th annual convention of Koli Kalyan Board here today, he stated that anyone found showing indifference towards the children of low caste, particularly in schools and other institutions of learning, would lose his job.

The Chief Minister stated that all children would sit, study and eat together and anyone found discriminating on the basis of caste, colour, region or religion would be fired from the job. He issued directions to all the Deputy Commissioner to ensure that any such incident does not take place in their respective districts. He said that if anyone reports any such incident, strict action would be taken against the defaulters.

He stated that earlier people belonging to low caste were not allowed to enter religious places and participate in the religious ceremonies of the upper caste people but today the scenario was quite different. He added that temples were open to all and people of any region or religion can pay their obeisance at any temple owned and controlled by the government.

He stated that the government would construct Raghunath Temple in Kullu, which would be open to all and it will not be a private temple as being claimed by a royal scion of Kullu.

Taking a jibe at sitting Kullu MLA Maheshwar Singh, the Chief Minister said, “Bhagwan sabke hain, kisi ek vyakati ki sampati nahin” (God is of everyone and not a private property of an individual).

Virbhadra Singh said that Koli Samaj should provide a suitable piece of land for construction of Ambedkar Bhawan in Kullu and the government would provide adequate assistance.

Later, Chief Minister inaugurated Darka bridge on the Kullu-Karon road in Lug valley and a Primary Health Centre at Bhutti.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said that 56 sub castes of Koli Samaj had been incorporated in the list of Scheduled Castes. Ayurveda Minister Karan Singh announced a sum of Rs 1 lakh to Koli Kalyan Board from his discretionary fund.