Caste system has its benefits, I was unaware of my own caste until elections: MP Yaduveer

Team Udayavani, Sep 29, 2024, 4:45 PM IST

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar made a striking statement during the BJP OBC convention, revealing that he was unaware of his caste identity before entering politics.

He was speaking during a convention of writers, artists, poets, limerick writers of coastal region organised by BJP Backward Classes Morcha Udupi district at Sharada Kalyana Mantapa in Udupi

Yaduveer mentioned that it was only during the election process that he realized he belonged to the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

“Before the elections, I didn’t know my caste. I had no idea that the royal family of Mysuru belonged to the OBC category. It was only when I was introduced as an OBC candidate that I became aware of it,” Yaduveer remarked.

He added, “People often laugh when they hear that the royal family is part of the OBC. However, I am fortunate to represent not just a specific caste but the entire community.”

Addressing the complex nature of caste in India, Yaduveer expressed that while the caste system preserves India’s diversity, it has also been misused for various reasons. He emphasized the need to guide caste identity in the right direction, highlighting that managing caste relations properly is crucial for the country’s progress.

Yaduveer also stressed the importance of unity under the Indian ethos, stating, “We are all united by the Kannada language, but more importantly, we must stand together as Indians. Not every Indian is a Kannadiga, but every Kannadiga is an Indian. This philosophy should guide us forward.”

He further praised the role of art, culture, and language in maintaining Karnataka’s identity, citing the contributions of the Mysuru royal family in establishing the Karnataka Sahitya Parishat in Bengaluru to promote Kannada literature. He noted that artists and writers have always played a vital role in preserving culture and language across generations.

The event was attended by several notable leaders, including BJP district president Kishore Kumar Kundapura, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLAs Gurme Suresh Shetty and Gururaj Gantihole, and various local leaders such as Prabhakar Poojary, Rajani Hebbar, Uday Kumar Shetty, and others.