{"id":6357,"date":"2025-11-30T19:34:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T14:04:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6357"},"modified":"2025-11-30T22:37:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T17:07:23","slug":"karnataka-minister-calls-for-maratha-unity-pledges-support-through-social-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=6357","title":{"rendered":"Karnataka Minister Santosh Calls for Maratha Unity, Pledges Support Through Social Work"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad Urges Maratha Unity, Vows to Elevate Community Beyond Politics<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><strong>Bidar, Nov 30<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 In a powerful address to a massive community gathering, Karnataka\u2019s Minister for Labour and in-charge of Dharwad district, Santosh S. Lad, issued a clarion call for unity and selfless service within the Maratha community, urging them to transcend politics and focus on educational and economic empowerment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The minister was speaking at a district-level \u2018Swaabhimaani\u2019 (Self-Respect) Maratha conference held at the Ganesh Maidan in Bidar, which saw an unprecedented turnout.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>&#8216;\u0cb0\u0cbe\u0c9c\u0c95\u0cc0\u0caf \u0c85\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2, \u0cb8\u0cae\u0cbe\u0c9c\u0cb8\u0cc7\u0cb5\u0cc6 \u0cae\u0cc1\u0c96\u0ccd\u0caf&#8217;; \u0cae\u0cb0\u0cbe\u0ca0\u0cbe \u0c90\u0c95\u0ccd\u0caf\u0ca4\u0cc6\u0c97\u0cc6 \u0cb8\u0c82\u0ca4\u0ccb\u0cb7\u0ccd \u0cb2\u0cbe\u0ca1\u0ccd \u0c95\u0cb0\u0cc6<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><strong>A Call for Collective Action<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">Minister Lad began by lauding the organizers for successfully uniting the community. \u201cThis programme is special. I have come to Bidar many times and have always spoken about the need for our community leaders to organize and unite. Now, the time has come,\u201d Lad stated. \u201cAll the community leaders have worked with dedication and brought our people together. I thank you for this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">He emphasized that the primary objective of the gathering was to build a stronger community. \u201cThe very purpose of our meeting here is to build our society, to identify our poor brethren, to educate them, and to help them. We have all come together with this aim,\u201d he said. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-6358\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-4-1024x681.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-4-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-4-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-4-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-4.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><strong>Drawing Inspiration from Historical Figures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">Lad drew upon the legacy of historical icons to outline a path of secularism and social justice. He clarified that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a secular leader who fought against the Mughal empire, not against Muslims. \u201cWe must understand this,\u201d he told the audience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">He also highlighted the community\u2019s role in supporting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. \u201cIt was the kings of our community, Gaekwad and Shahu Maharaj, who helped Babasaheb Ambedkar go to London for higher studies. It was with their help that Ambedkar studied abroad and returned to become the great social reformer the world recognizes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><strong>Education Over Politics, Pledge for Support<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The minister made a clear distinction between social work and political ambition. \u201cThis is not a political rally. It is not a show of strength. It is a demonstration of our unity,\u201d Lad asserted. He stressed that true political power would be a natural consequence of social and economic strength.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">\u201cWhen we become strong educationally and economically, politics will follow on its own. Let us take a decision today. Let us take a pledge today to work for the society. Only then will our community see significant progress,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">To achieve this, Lad announced his unwavering personal support. \u201cI am ready to come here every month. I will support you. But we all must become one, we must be united. There is no place for politics here.\u201d He pledged to help establish and run a trust in the name of Jijabai, Shivaji Maharaj&#8217;s mother. \u201cI will start the Jijabai Trust and help run it. I will provide all assistance,\u201d he promised, adding his goal was to make it the \u201cNumber One Trust in North Karnataka.\u201d <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-6360\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-2-1024x681.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-2-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-2-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-2-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-2.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"><strong>A Personal Commitment to the Marginalized<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">Striking a personal chord, Lad expressed his pride in his origins and his commitment to serving the underprivileged. \u201cWherever I go in the state, I see our Maratha community members in distress. I feel I have accrued good karma to be born in the Maratha community. I am proud to say it,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">He framed his political career as a means to a social end. \u201cI am in politics to wipe the tears of the poor. As long as God gives me strength, I will work for the oppressed.\u201d Acknowledging the support of the community, he added, \u201cYou have given me a great responsibility, and for that, I need your continued cooperation. It is with your support that I stand here today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\">The conference concluded with a resolve to strengthen the community from the grassroots level, with a focus on village, taluk, and district-level unity, setting a new precedent for social mobilization in the region. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-6359\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-1-1024x681.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-1-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-1-300x199.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-1-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Minister-Santosh-Lad-with-Maratha-in-Bidar-1.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_6357\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"6357\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad Urges Maratha Unity, Vows to Elevate Community Beyond Politics Bidar, Nov 30\u00a0\u2013 In a powerful address to a massive community gathering, Karnataka\u2019s Minister for Labour and in-charge of Dharwad district, Santosh S. Lad, issued a clarion call for unity and selfless service within the Maratha community, urging them to transcend politics [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6361,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[73,1217,74,296],"class_list":["post-6357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bengaluru","tag-bengaluru","tag-bidar","tag-karnataka","tag-santosh-lad"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6357"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6363,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6357\/revisions\/6363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}