Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who unfurled the Tricolour on the 70th Independence Day in Bengaluru, asked its citizens to fight divisive forces. He came down on the recent incidents of atrocities on Dalits, minorities and women in the country. In his Independence Day address to the State from Field Marshal Manekshaw Ground, he said a nation was best built with love, mutual co-operation and amity, and not by hatred and ill-will.
“Time has indeed come when we need to launch a movement akin to the freedom struggle to fight against divisive forces, he said adding that it is also the time, when we need to sustain our efforts to remove poverty, illiteracy, superstitions, casteism and communalism which are plaguing our onward march towards progress and prosperity,” he added. “Freedom exists in the use of language, observance of cultural and traditional practices, including dress and eating habits,” he added. He said his Government was committed to the development of the State and had been able to fulfil nearly three-fourth of the promises made by the Congress in its election manifesto.