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Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Basavanna's teaching relevant even today'
Mysuru: The democratic ideals and social reforms pioneered by the 12th-century philosopher and reformer Basavanna were the focal point at the 'Namma Basava Jayanthi 2025' celebrations held at Kalamandira on Sunday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was organised jointly by Basava organisations and the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha. State BJP chief BY Vijayendra attended the valedictory session. Addressing the gathering at the morning session, Mukthamba, president of the state women's wing of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha, emphasised Basavanna's foundational role in promoting democratic governance and social equity. "Through the Anubhava Mantapa, Basavanna not only showed how governance should be conducted, but also laid the groundwork for addressing complex social issues. He offered a vision of democracy centuries ahead of its time," she said. She asserted that the credit for introducing the concept of democracy in India belongs to Basavanna, whose teachings remain relevant in today's socio-political climate. "The Anubhava Mantapa, where individuals from all walks of life—including women—were given equal voice, was the forerunner of our present parliamentary system. His ideas on equality, dignity of labour, and community dialogue offer enduring solutions to today's challenges," she added. Pragathi MG, director, Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Lingayatha Mahasabha, emphasised the inclusive nature of the event, with a greater focus on women, children, and inter-community participation, carrying forward Basavanna's universal message. The two-day Namma Basava Jayanthi celebration featured cultural performances, including drama on Basava Vachanas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now BJP state president Vijayendra emphasized the importance of unity within the Veerashaiva Lingayat Samaja, urging everyone to stand together and remain connected through shared values and traditions. He expressed concern over the increasing influence of mobile phones, WhatsApp, YouTube, and the internet, noting that while technology has its advantages, it is also leading many—especially the youth—to drift away from cultural roots. Vijayendra urged the community to strike a balance between modernity and tradition, ensuring that cultural identity is not lost in the digital age. His message serves as a powerful reminder that unity, cultural pride, and inclusive thinking are essential in building a strong and harmonious society.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM urges all communities to embrace Basavanna
Mysuru: Lord Basavanna does not belong to one caste, and all communities should embrace Basavanna as he did not fight for one community but for the entire society, said chief minister Siddaramaiah . Speaking at the Basava Jayanthi celebration organised jointly by Basava Balaga Okkuta and Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha in Mysuru, the CM announced that the Anubhava Mantapa, initiated by govt with a cost exceeding Rs 600 crore, will be completed and inaugurated next year. He described the 12th-century social reformer as not only a cultural leader but also a world economist for transforming the lives of millions of people by advocating his Kayaka (work) philosophy of life, as well as the practice of equality, and his social revolution of ending discrimination of people on caste and religious lines. He also highlighted the importance of mass feeding and opposed the categorisation of people based on work and profession in those days. "Basavanna always advocated that all work and professions carry equal weight and importance in building a discrimination-free, equal society," he said. "Basavanna and his contemporaries, like the Sharanas, were all responsible for the social revolution during the 12th century; that kind of social revolution was not witnessed in the world during that period. These social reformers strived to build a casteless, discrimination-free, equal society," the CM said. "By forming Anubhava Mantap, like a religious parliament, Basavanna also encouraged free speech, freedom of expression, and debates to end discrimination in society," he added. The CM also hailed the contributions of Vachanas and Sharanas literature for the promotion and growth of Kannada literature. "These Vachanakaras were also successful in their efforts to spread awareness among people, especially the working-class, by writing their Vachanas in simple language easily understood by those who were deprived of education in those days," he said. The CM also recalled the importance of education, his school days, and his primary schoolteacher Rajappa, who directly provided admission to him to study from Class 5 when his parents were uneducated. He also highlighted the contribution of BR Ambedkar in promoting education and the Indian Constitution, ensuring equal rights and opportunities, and safeguarding the importance of all citizens of the nation. The CM also promised to release necessary grants for the completion of the construction of Basava Bhavan in Mysuru city.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manuvadis are against Basava's principles, says CM
Bagalkot: There is no discussion in Mann Ki Baat; it follows a one-sided approach where you must listen to what is said. This is a trait of autocracy, criticised chief minister Siddaramaiah . Inaugurating Sharanas' Glory-2025 organised by the Kannada and culture department on the occasion of Basava Jayanti in Kudalasangama, Siddaramaiah said: "In a democracy, there is room for discussion. In an autocracy, there is no room for discussion; it is only 'I speak, you listen'. The approach of Mann Ki Baat is an autocratic attitude." "Vachanas of Sharanas are in the people's language. Therefore, vachana literature has become people's literature. In the past, if a Shudra learned Sanskrit, they were punished by pouring molten lead into their ears. This deprived the Indian Shudra community of literary culture. Due to a lack of education, inequality grew," he analysed. He further said, "Our Constitution is implemented in a society with contradictions. Due to democracy, from the President to the common labourer, everyone has the same right to vote, which is political freedom. However, social and economic freedom is still not achieved. Without this, political freedom is meaningless." He regretted that if he tried to implement the aspirations and values of Basavadi Sharanas, some would obstruct and oppose it. " Manuvadis are against Basava's principles. The Anubhava Mantapa, established 900 years ago, was the first centre of democracy. Economic inequality breeds slavery. The economic principles of Kayaka and Dasoha given by Basavadi Sharanas, if followed, give meaning to the celebration of Basava Jayanti," he discussed.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mann Ki Baat is a one-way street, while debate is the defining character of democracy: Siddaramaiah
The idea behind building a monument to Anubhava Mantapa is to remind ourselves that debate, discussion, and dissent form the foundations of democracy, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the occasion of Basava Jayanti, speaking at Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district. 'Debate is the defining character of democracy. If there is no debate, then it is a dictatorship and not a democracy. A dictatorship does not allow an exchange of thoughts. It is a one-way communication, like Mann Ki Baat. Those who indulge in it only speak, but do not listen. We have to strive against such one-way communication and keep democracy and the culture of debate alive,' he said at the event organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture and the district administration. He pointed out that his government had begun the construction of the Anubhava Mantapa monument at Basavakalyan. It is believed that Basavanna, in the 12th century, conceived of Anubhava Mantapa as a place where mystics, saints, and philosophers met to debate religious and social issues. Construction of mantapa 'We announced Basavanna to be the cultural leader of Karnataka. We mandated that his portraits be put up in all government offices, schools, and colleges. Why? To spread awareness about him and the socio-cultural revolution he led in the State in the 12th century. His philosophy is powerful enough to lead the world, and people across the globe should know about him,' the Chief Minister said. He said the State government would positively consider demands such as protecting the resting places and memorials of Sharanas and Sharanes. 'We have also received demands like installing statues of Basavanna in Bengaluru and Kudalasangama. We will do all that. We are also planning to complete the construction of the Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan this year. However, we should also attach equal importance to following the philosophy of Sharanas,' he said. 'We keep chanting vachanas against the caste system, but go around discriminating in the name of caste. This should stop. On this Basava Jayanti, we should vow to follow the ideals of Sharanas, including ending caste-based discrimination and erasing blind belief, and belief in fate and destiny,' said Mr. Siddaramaiah. Idea of egalitarian society 'The real tribute to Basavanna and other Sharanas is to live according to their ideology,' he added. 'Basavanna and other Sharanas lived in Karnataka 900 years ago. They dreamt of an equal society and fought against discrimination on the basis of caste, class, and gender, and against blind belief. However, even now, we have not been able to realise the dream of an equal society. We need to read and understand their ideology expressed in the vachanas, adhere to it and implement it in our lives,' he said. Mr. Siddaramaiah recalled that B.R. Ambedkar made references to the philosophy of Basvanna in his writings. 'It is because of the fact that Dr. Ambedkar had studied Basavanna and the constitutions of various countries, that he was able to draft a progressive Constitution for India,' he said. The Chief Minister said that the Sharana philosophy was opposed to the Manuvadi philosophy. 'While the Sharana philosophy is based on equality and ending discrimination, blind belief and social evils, Manuvadi ideology is based on inequality and in continued discrimination, blind belief and social evils. We should decide which ideology we should be followers of,' he said. Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, he participated in the Vishwa Guru Basava Jayanti celebrations organised by the Basava Samiti and observed that it was the duty of all Kannadigas as well as Indians to remember Basavanna and his ideology.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Buddha Basava and Ambedkar transcend caste boundaries: Min Tangadagi
Bagalkot: Buddha, Basava, and contributed uniquely to the world beyond any caste boundaries, said Kannada & culture minister Shivaraj Tangadagi. Inaugurating a seminar on contemporary reflections of Vachana literature at the 'Anubhava Mantapa Basavadi Sharana Vaibhava' event, jointly organised by the Kannada & culture department, district administration, and Kudalasangama Development Authority at Basava Mantapa in Kudalasangama on Tuesday, Tangadagi stated that Basavanna taught administrative systems through his Vachanas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Anubhava Mantapa he established functions as Parliament today, he remarked. The purpose of celebrating anniversaries is to introduce the history of great personalities to the youth. "Efforts are being made to introduce Basavanna's Vachanas across the state to influence the youth. Through their practices, ideas, and Vachanas, the govt is creating history and delivering social justice. Everyone talks about Basavanna, but very few live by contemplating his practices and ideas daily," he noted. Speaking after offering flowers to Basavanna's portrait, excise and district minister RB Timmapur mentioned the 12th-century efforts to eradicate untouchability and unite all communities. Presiding over the programme, Hunagund MLA and State Veerashaiva Lingayat Development Corporation chairman Vijayanand Kashappanavar stated that the grandeur of Basavadi Sharanas is being celebrated in the historic Kudalasangama. "The govt has announced in the budget to organise such programmes under the name of Sarvadharma Parliament. In this context, it is a matter of pride to conduct this grand event at Kudalasangama," he shared.
