Bengaluru, 15 Sept

Karnataka on Sunday marked the 'International Day of Democracy' by forming a 'historic' 2,500-km-long human chain as a symbol of equality, unity, fraternity, and participative governance.

The massive human chain, which according to the Karnataka government will be the "world's longest", was formed across the state from Bidar to Chamarajanagar, covering all 31 districts.

The state government had taken the lead in organising the large-scale event to mark the day in association with civil society.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah joined the human chain at the main event held in front of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature and secretariat here, along with senior Ministers and officials.

The CM led by reading the preamble of the Constitution, following which people from various walks of life, including transgenders and differently-abled people held hands to form the human chain.

Similar events were held in all districts of the state in which Ministers, public representatives and senior officials took part.

A world record verifying team from London will arrive for the innovative and massive event, officials said.

The human chain will be approximately 2,500 km long, and is said to be the "longest in the history of the world", they said.

According to the government, a total of 25 lakh people were expected to participate, with an average of more than 1,000 people for each kilometre.

During the event, 10 lakh saplings were expected to be planted in the state by the participants, it added.

According to officials, the participants of the human chain will be given certificates.

Last year, the government organised a mega event of reading the Constitution's preamble as part of the 'International Day of Democracy' celebrations.

Since 2007, September 15th has been declared as the International Day of Democracy, which is celebrated globally. Proclaimed by the United Nations (UN), the day serves as a platform to promote and uphold the principles of democracy worldwide.

Addressing the event, Siddaramaiah cautioned against forces trying to divide the society and said at any cost these divisive forces should not be allowed to grow stronger.

"I request the democrats and the people of the state and the country to work towards destroying the divisive forces, as the divisive forces are trying to uproot the democracy and to make the constitution inactive. These divisive forces are against pluralism, social justice, and equality, they don't want the poor to grow strong economically and socially," he said.

Highlighting that his government's guarantee schemes are benefiting all sections of society, especially women, Siddaramaiah accused the opposition BJP of trying to give credit to the central government for Anna Bhagya (free rice) scheme. He asked "Who gives tax to the Centre, is it not the money of the people from states including Karnataka? That money is not of PM Narendra Modi's of Nadda's (BJP president J P Nadda)"

Taking on the BJP for criticising his government, he said, "... if a wrong has occurred we will rectify it. But these forces like BJP are anti-poor, anti-Dalits, and social justice. They want to uproot democracy, and in the name of unity they want to destroy plurality. We should not allow such divisive forces to grow, if allowed the country and the state will be destroyed. It is our duty to save democracy."

Noting that democratic and parliamentary system is not new to India as it existed during the period of Buddha and Basavanna, Siddaramaiah said during the 12th century itself Basavanna and other Sharanas by establishing "Anubhava Mantapa" followed a parliamentary system.

Recalling Ambedkar's speech at the constituent assembly on November 25, 1949, the CM said, "In his speech Ambedkar said, we cannot be satisfied by saying that we got political democracy. For it to be successful every one should get economic and social democracy. Until there is discrimination between rich and poor, upper and lower castes, there is no meaning for political democracy."

Stressing the need to understand the preamble of the Constitution and its intent, he said those who don't know the Constitution, cannot make democracy successful.

The ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity are enshrined in the Constitution, he pointed out and said "eradication of inequality is important."-PTI