Bangalore, Dec 24(UNI) Union Home Minister Shivaraj V Patil has paid rich tributes to various mutts in Karnataka which were providing education to the masses and empowering society.

Delivering his address at the 1047th year Jayanthi celebration of the Sri Shivarathreeshwar Bhagavathpada of Suttur Mutt of Mysore, here today Mr Patil said that it was heartening to note that several mutts in Karantaka were engaged in providing education to children irrespective of caste and creed and thereby building the welfare society in their-own way.

The peculiar character of these mutts was that of providing education with ensuring food and shelter free of cost was not heard in any other parts of the country. These mutts while imparting education also taught understanding of human values to the students community which is important in character building of citizens, he said.

Mr Patil said that the center was planning to bring communal harmony law but the law alone can not ensure peace and tranquillity in society. ''Understanding the meaning of human values and character to respect each other '' plays a major role in maintaining the communal harmony in the society, he said.

Mr Patil said that unless we manage to demolish the artificial barriers that we created in the name of caste, religion, language and colour it is very much difficult to ensure peace and harmony in the society, he said.

Acting Human Rights Commission chairman Shivaraj V Patil who also spoke on the occasion has said that there is a need to build an environment and ecosystem to promote values which ultimately strengthen the roots of harmony in the society. Former Karantaka Chief Minister and Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, Karantaka Home Minister M P Prakash were also present on the occasion.

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