Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made a significant announcement during the Nativity of the Virgin Mary festivities at St. Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar. He revealed plans to establish a Christian Development Corporation, which has already been allocated a substantial budget of Rs. 100 crore and will soon have a president appointed to lead it.
Siddaramaiah chose the historic St. Mary’s Basilica as the venue for this announcement, stating, “St. Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar is a symbol of communal harmony, attracting people from all religions and castes. I attend the Nativity festival here every year, and it brings me immense peace.”
In a passionate address, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of religious diversity in India and called for unity while condemning any attempts to incite hatred based on religion or caste. He declared, “India is celebrated for its diverse religions, and there is no place for religious hatred here. While a few may attempt to sow division, our government remains steadfast in its commitment to combat such divisive forces. We will take decisive action against those who promote division.”
Siddaramaiah also emphasized that no major religion advocates animosity towards humanity. He expressed his concern about individuals who exploit religion to create discord among people and communities, vowing that the government would use the full extent of the law against such troublemakers.
Addressing the requests of community leaders, the Chief Minister promised careful consideration of their demands, including the potential renaming of the Shivajinagar Metro station to St. Mary’s Metro Station, among other proposals.
Siddaramaiah’s announcement aligns with a broader national aspiration to preserve and promote the values of unity and secularism in a diverse and pluralistic society.