Bengaluru. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, facing Lokayukta and Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe over the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) ‘scam’, on Wednesday quoted Mahatma Gandhi and said the “court of conscience” is above all courts. . He said that Gandhiji may have been murdered but his ideals cannot be killed, truth and non-violence cannot be killed.
Siddaramaiah said, “Mahatma Gandhiji had said that above all our courts there is a supreme court and that is the court of conscience, it is superior to all other courts…. Sometimes not everyone gets justice from the courts, but I can say this clearly, as Gandhiji had said – the courts that we see cannot be above this court of conscience.” Addressing the function of Gandhi Jayanti organized by ‘Gandhi Memorial Fund’, he said, “Therefore we all should try to conduct ourselves according to our conscience, whether others like it or dislike it, whether they oppose or appreciate it.” Do it, but we should try to act according to our conscience.”
The Chief Minister has made these comments at a time when he is being investigated by the Lokayukta and ED on the directions of the courts in the MUDA plot allotment case. Siddaramaiah said that the Congress party and its government have always been committed to the Constitution. Referring to various welfare programs of his government including five guarantee schemes, he said that its objective is to provide economic and social strength to the weaker sections.
The Chief Minister said that the caste system cannot be abolished easily. Gandhi fought against the caste system and untouchability but untouchability still exists in many places. He also remembered former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri today on his birth anniversary. He described Shastri ji as one of the most honest leaders of the country.