Devaraj Urs a champion of Dalits: Kumaraswamy

Bangalore, Aug 20 (UNI) Recalling the services of former Karnataka Chief Minister Devaraj Urs, who companioned the cause of backward classes and Dalits, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said that there was a need to relaunch the struggle to give the oppressed their due share in the society.

Speaking at the 91st birth anniversary function of Mr Urs here, the Chief Minister said he had pioneered the movement for the uplift of the downtrodden and a time had now come to relaunch such programme.

The Chief Minister also unveiled the 14-feet high statue of Mr Urs on the occasion in front of Vidhana Soudha.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who also spoke, said the JDS-BJP coalition government in the state was sincerely working towards making Mr Urs's dream of bringing the dalits and the people belonging to backward class on par with the forward classes.

Noted Kannada poet Prof K S Nisar Ahmed was presented the Devaraj Urs Award by Mr Kumaraswamy. Awards to persons who had worked for the betterment of the backward classes was also presented.

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