Siddaramaiah pitches Ahinda model as national blueprint for social justice

Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah Tuesday said Ahinda — a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits — must no longer be seen as a vote bank but as the "conscience of the nation," as he pitched the Karnataka model of empowerment for national adoption at the inaugural meeting of Congress' national OBC advisory council.

"Let us remind the country that Ahinda is not a vote bank. It is the voice of India's conscience," Siddaramaiah said, addressing the gathering at KPCC headquarters. He said the model Karnataka had developed for social justice was rooted in fraternity and backed by data and scientific surveys.

"We are here to reorient politics and reclaim our voice. India cannot progress without empowering backward classes, Dalits and minorities who have long been denied power, opportunity and dignity," he said. "And it is now ready for a national level adoption."

Calling it an empowerment model, Siddaramaiah said the Karnataka framework was not merely "relevant" but "essential" for the country. The meeting is expected to give the CM a political edge as the prominent OBC face in Congress party, although his continuance as CM remains a matter of speculation.

Siddaramaiah also accused BJP of consistently blocking attempts to bring OBCs, Dalits and minorities into the mainstream. "BJP has never been in favour of social justice," he said.

Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, who is part of the advisory council, voiced concerns about the BJP-led Centre's seriousness in conducting a caste census. "There is a certain degree of scepticism among OBCs that the caste census may become only lip services after Bihar elections with BJP-sponsored petitions in the Supreme Court and high court scuttling it," Gehlot said.

OBC advisory council convenor Dr Anil Jaihind said the inaugural session deliberated on Congress' stand regarding Centre's caste census plan. The two-day event is expected to conclude with the passage of three resolutions on Wednesday.

The meeting also featured deliberations on Article 164(1) of the Constitution with reference to states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Senior Congress functionaries including former CMs Bhupesh Baghel, V Narayanasamy and M Veerappa Moily joined the discussions alongside dozens of other national OBC functionaries.