Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B K Hariprasad addressed a Sankalpa meeting of construction workers in the KPCC office and highlighted the role of workers and farmers in India's development.
Hariprasad said the contribution of workers and farmers to nation-building cannot be measured and argued that sustained labour is essential for the progress of any country. He called workers out on what he called an inferiority complex and recognized their contribution to society and the economy.
Hariprasad became president of KPCC in June 2026 and took charge of the programme in Bengaluru on June 21.
Workers’ Contribution Cannot Be Measured
Hariprasad said those in the construction sector often work under difficult conditions including rain, wind, and extreme heat. He told workers they should be respected for their contribution and should see themselves as an extension of the country’s development and not just as a way to earn a living.
He also asked workers to take part in democratic systems and make sure they meet their elected representatives on the problem of their welfare.
Education, Organisation and Rights
Hariprasad referred to the teachings of social reformers Narayana Guru and B R Ambedkar when speaking about education, organisation, and social change.
He asked workers to be educated, organized, and aware of their rights. They should collectively voice their livelihood problems and seek remedies to improve their living conditions, he said.
He also recalled earlier labour leaders who, he said, lived relatively simple lives and worked for workers’ interests.
Questions Raised Over Labour Policies
Hariprasad criticized the union government's approach to labour policies and working hours. He contrasted the traditional eight-hour working day with his criticism of proposals or statements advocating longer working hours.
The issues of working hours have been part of national conversations on labour reforms, productivity, and workers’ welfare. Hariprasad said that workers’ rights should remain central to policy discussions.
Attack on Government's Public Sector Record
Hariprasad also questioned the Centre's handling of public sector enterprises. He referred to Jawaharlal Nehru's establishment of public-sector enterprises and employment generation and alleged that public assets had subsequently been sold.
He was part of a wider political criticism of the Modi-led Union government. The number and nature of public sector enterprises sold or disinvested are matters that should be examined against official government records and definitions.
Religion and Politics
Hariprasad also criticized the use of religion in politics in his speech. He argued that religious practice should remain personal and questioned political campaigns’ involvement in religious matters.
He claimed religious issues were being used to divert attention from concerns involving workers, farmers, women, and economically disadvantaged sections.
These were political criticisms made by Hariprasad at the workers' meeting and represent his position.
Workers and Democratic Participation
Hariprasad stressed the significance of the Constitution and democratic participation. “By elections, workers have much to play in changing governments,” he said, and they must decide on that, and it is up to them to elect representatives that address things like education, healthcare, and social welfare.
He also spoke about the continuing electoral-roll revision in Karnataka and pleaded with people to make sure that their names remain in the voter lists correctly. Hariprasad has also called on Congress workers and booth-level agents to be on guard during the Special Intensive Revision process.
Focus on Workers’ Welfare
The KPCC president said political representatives should work to improve the lives of workers and reach people at the grassroots level. He cited construction workers in particular, who are physically demanding and need to be taken care of more.
His remarks put workers' rights, social security, education, healthcare, and democratic participation at the centre of the meeting.
Broader Political Context
Hariprasad's comments come after his recent appointment as KPCC president, which he formally took over in June. The Congress leadership has already said that they will concentrate on the upcoming elections, including the 2028 Karnataka Assembly election and the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
So the construction workers’ meeting combined labour concerns with wider political and constitutional issues. Hariprasad called on workers to remain organized, know their rights, and get involved in the democratic process.
The speech also reflects the current political debate in Karnataka on labour welfare, public-sector policy, working conditions, religion in politics, and the role of government in addressing the concerns of workers and economically vulnerable communities.
