“Love and Compassion Are Core to All Religions,” Says CM Siddaramaiah at Belgaum Cathedral

Belgaum, Dec 18, 2025: Delivering a firm message against religious polarisation, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday asserted that no religion in the world teaches hatred, emphasising that love and compassion lie at the heart of every faith. He said India’s Constitution clearly envisions a secular, inclusive, and humane society, and it is the collective responsibility of citizens to safeguard these values.

The Chief Minister was speaking after visiting Fatima Cathedral and the Belagavi Diocese headquarters, where he was felicitated by Bishop Derek Fernandes. Addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah said India’s diversity of religions, castes, languages, and cultures should be viewed as a collective strength rather than a source of division. He stressed that unity and harmony are essential for nurturing a humane and just society.

Highlighting the role of education, Siddaramaiah said students must be encouraged to develop a scientific temper and rational thinking. He noted that the Constitution accords paramount importance to secularism, equality, and socialism, and said the education system must reinforce these values to prepare future generations for a just and empathetic society.

The Chief Minister also praised the Christian community for its contributions to education, healthcare, and social service, stating that these efforts align closely with the constitutional vision of social justice and inclusiveness. While affirming that no religion promotes hatred, he cautioned that certain vested interests attempt to spread divisive narratives.

“Love and compassion are the true essence of all religions,” the Chief Minister reiterated.

Extending Christmas greetings to the Christian community, Siddaramaiah described the festival as a celebration of joy, peace, and universal brotherhood. He urged people to understand and respect one another’s faiths and to celebrate festivals together to strengthen social harmony.

Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Derek Fernandes said the celebration of Christmas symbolises love, peace, and service to humanity. He appreciated the Chief Minister for implementing welfare programmes and development initiatives aimed at uplifting marginalised sections, and said the state government had been responsive to the concerns of the Church across Karnataka.

As part of the celebrations, the Chief Minister cut a Christmas cake and was later felicitated by Bishop Fernandes.

Energy Minister K. J. George; Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh; Legislative Assembly Chief Whip Ashok Pattan; MLC and former Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza; MLAs Asif (Raju) Sait, Mahantesh Koujalagi, and A. S. Ponnanna; former MLA Feroz Sait; and others were also present.

By Louis Rodrigues