Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that wealth and governance must be shared equally among all sections of society, reiterating that his government is committed to social justice.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Shivayogi Siddharameshwara Jayanti organised by the district administration, the Kannada and Culture Department, the Mysuru City Corporation and the Jayanti committee.

“I am very happy to participate in this celebration. Until an egalitarian society is realised, there will continue to be demands from communities at the grassroots. It is our government’s objective that the wealth and governance of this land must be distributed equally among all. Our aspiration is that everyone should receive an equal share and equal opportunity,” he said.

Mr. Siddaramaiah added, “All social reformers have had a common dream - that scientific temper and rational thinking must grow in society and that class divisions should be eradicated. Yet, we continue to see the existence of the caste system in our country.”

Stating that all deprived communities must get equal opportunities, quoting B. R. Ambedkar, he said that political freedom for all is essential to eliminate caste. “Only when everyone has access to education can they progress politically, socially and economically,” he said.

The Chief Minister said five guarantee schemes have been implemented benefiting all seven crore people of the State without any discrimination. “We are committed to social justice,” he reiterated.

“Before the Constitution came into force, Manusmriti was considered a guiding text. But today, we govern in accordance with the ideals of the Constitution. Ambedkar taught us that human beings must love one another and not hate,” he said.

Referring to the teachings of Shivayogi Siddharameshwara, the Chief Minister said, “He was a ‘Kayaka Yogi’ who believed that ‘work is worship’ and remained constantly engaged in the path of action. Therefore, everyone must actively participate in the production process and become practitioners of this ideal.”

Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi said that if government benefits are reaching the last person in the Bhovi community today, it is due to the leadership of the Chief Minister.

He said the Jayanti was initially planned in Bengaluru, but was shifted to Mysuru so that community issues could be addressed in the presence of the Chief Minister.

Speaking on the occasion, Immadhi Siddharameshwara Swami of the Chitradurga and Bagalkot Bhovi Gurupeetha said Shivayogi Siddharameshwara was not just a saint, but a “Kayaka Yogi” whose ideals and social service remain highly relevant today.

Senior writer S. G. Siddaramaiah called upon members of the Bhovi community to unite for their rights and progress politically and educationally.

On the occasion, the Kayaka Yogi Siddharameshwara award (2025–26) was conferred on senior writer Prof. S. G. Siddaramaiah. The book Siddharama Bellikirana was also released.