Kalaburagi, 15 Sept

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and Lingayatism were all born in India as a separate religion, because Hindu religion did not give the "space of dignity" for certain sections in the society.

The minister was reacting to BJP’s criticism of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Saturday remarks, where he said that casteism in Hindu society had driven people to convert.

Kharge, hitting out at the BJP leaders said, "I don't think that (BJP State President BY) Vijayendra and (MLC CT) Ravi are aware of the history of religion in India. Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and Lingayatism were (were) born (as a separate religion because) Hindu religion did not give the space for them."

Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi on Sunday, he asked, "What is the Chaturvarna system? Is it in any other religion? It is only in the Hindu religion. Babasaheb Ambedkar gave the slogan that being born as a Hindu was not in my hands, but I will not die as a Hindu. Why? Because of the Varna system."

"People did not have dignity, various castes felt left out of the system. All religions that have been born in India, have been born against this inequality. I don't think these people (BJP) leaders know what it is in the first place," he added.