Buddhist university proposal to be discussed by Karnataka Cabinet: CM DK Shivakumar

The Karnataka government will discuss a proposal to establish a Buddhist university at a Cabinet meeting in Bengaluru, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday, October 25. 

Speaking at a two-day International Buddhist Conference in Chamarajanagar, Shivakumar said that he would hold a meeting with ministers KH Muniyappa, PM Narendraswamy, and CS Puttarangashetty. The government would provide land for the proposed university in Bengaluru, he said. 

The Congress government was committed to social justice, equality and humanism, with a focus on improving the lives of the poor and disadvantaged, the CM said. 

He called for a society that places knowledge above caste, saying the ideals of Buddha, Basavanna and Ambedkar guided the government's vision for an egalitarian society.

"We do not need a society that asks about caste; we need one that values knowledge. Buddha symbolises knowledge, while Ambedkar stands for social justice. India can truly progress only when the ideals of Buddha, Basavanna and Ambedkar shine together," he said.

He said that some politicians today were not following Buddhist teachings. Instead, they were “involved in the spread of hatred, creating a rift between people by raising religious issues to fulfil their selfish motives for the sake of power… but they will not be successful in their efforts. Ultimately, truth and humanity always triumph,” he said.