Former law minister and new Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj said that the protection of people of all faiths and maintenance of communal harmony were his top priorities in the state. He made this statement minutes after taking oath here at the Raj Bhavan on Monday.

The Governor who was administered his oath by the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice P D Dinakaran, in the presence of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, told reporters, “I have no doubt that my first task is to protect people of all faiths.”

Governor Bharadwaj, in a possible reference to the attacks on minorities and individual rights during the first year of the BJP tenure in Karnataka, said, “Anyone with difficulty is entitled to justice. We must see that people live in peace and harmony. I believe there is plenty of scope to work in that direction.”

The new Governor said his actions would be in keeping with the idea of India as a fellowship of faiths. A thought which he has spoken about in his book. “Karnataka is also a fellowship of faiths. There is plenty of scope to go about and restore confidence among people,” he said.

He added that the doors of Raj Bhavan would be open to people within the confines of norms.

“Secularity is a principle of God. God has created diversity and unity in diversity,” Bhardwaj said. He mentioned that as the Governor, he would operate according to the traditions upheld by the Constitution.

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