DAVANAGERE — At a historic gathering held at the Beeri Ligeshawara Temple Complex in Davanagere — the heart of central Karnataka, known for its spirited political and farmers’ movements — national leaders, activists, and citizens came together to launch a resounding call for the protection of India’s Constitution.
Organizsd by “Eddelu Karnataka” and allied progressive organisations, the event marked the formation of a “Constitution Protectors’ Force,” aimed at defending constitutional values across the country.
The day began with a massive rally through the streets of Davanagere, organized to spread awareness about constitutional rights and the need to defend democratic values. Hundreds of citizens marched holding banners, placards, and copies of the Constitution’s Preamble, drawing wide public attention.
The convention that followed witnessed fiery speeches, sharp critiques, and a strong resolve to challenge both the Central Government and the Karnataka State Government, demanding a true realization of the promises enshrined in the Constitution.
Speaking at the inaugural session, noted thinker and writer Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa declared, “True patriots are those who respect the Constitution and stand for equality. When people unite, nothing is impossible. People’s power is supreme.”
Ramachandrappa warned of the growing intellectual decay, poisoned by caste and religious divides, and called for a broader people’s movement to safeguard democracy.
Noor Sridhar, a key leader of Eddelu Karnataka, delivered a scathing critique of both the Central and Karnataka State Governments.
Accusing the Union government of “mischievous attempts to tamper with the spirit of the Constitution,” he stated, “The ruling powers find the Constitution inconvenient. They want to play with it, bend it, and break it. We must resist this mischief at all costs.”
Turning his fire toward the Congress government in Karnataka, Sridhar said, “We must also confront Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. His government has failed to deliver on the promises made in its manifesto and continues many of the same policies and failures of the previous BJP regime.”
Senior activist Maavalli Shankar emphasized that even those entrusted with defending the Constitution had often failed to grasp its depth.
“Had we protected it properly, we would not be in this situation today,” he said, recalling Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s warning that the Constitution’s success depends on the commitment of both the people and the rulers.
Constitution Is the True Contract of India, says Saleem Engineer
Saleem Engineer, a senior leader from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, stressed that the Constitution is the true social contract between India’s citizens and its governance.
“It is not religion, not caste, but the Constitution that binds this nation together. Without constitutional values, India cannot survive as a democracy,” he said.
In an emotional appeal, he added, “Protecting the Constitution today is more sacred than any other religious obligation. If the Constitution is weakened, all marginalized communities — minorities, Dalits, Adivasis, and farmers — will suffer first.”
Veteran farmer leaders Dr. Sunilam and Darshan Pal from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha brought solidarity messages from India’s farmers’ movements.
Dr Sunilam emphasized the critical role of the Constitution during struggles like the farmers’ protest and stressed, “Every home must have a copy of the Constitution’s Preamble. We must treat it as sacred — even more than any religious text.”
Saleem Engineer, a senior leader from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
In his speech, Guruprasad Keragodu, senior leader of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, lamented the fragmented state of progressive organizations.
“We are all fighting separately. If we do not unite, we cannot win. This platform must unify all struggles for justice,” he urged.
Other speakers, including Mohammed Yusuf Kanni (Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka) and Dr. Vijaya (Eddelu Karnataka), reinforced the demand for urgent unity across caste, community, and ideological lines.
The convention sharply criticized attempts by extremist forces to reshape or undermine the Constitution, citing historical examples of attacks on constitutional values.
Speakers recalled the early opposition of the RSS to the Constitution and called upon its leadership today to apologize for past statements questioning its “Indianness.”
Highlighting the persistence of economic and social inequalities 75 years after independence, speakers cited alarming statistics — including the continued practice of manual scavenging by 1.87 crore people and high rates of violence against women and Dalits — as proof that the constitutional promises remain unfulfilled.
As part of the resolutions adopted, Eddelu Karnataka announced the formation of a “Constitution Protection Force” — a structured network to operate across every district and taluk.
Training programs for volunteers, district camps, cultural initiatives, and awareness campaigns are already underway.
Political analyst and former government adviser Parakala Prabhakar summed up the spirit of the convention:
“Forces have been working against the Constitution for 100 years. But today, seeing the strength here, my fears have vanished. A united army for protecting the Constitution has emerged.”
The convention concluded with a clarion call:
To resist authoritarianism, communalism, and casteism — and to reclaim India’s democratic soul by placing the Constitution at the center of the nation’s political, social, and cultural life.
