Stating that the movement for religion status for Lingayat was wrongly projected by some as a ploy to divide the community, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development M.B. Patil has said that if religion status had materialised, then all Lingayat sub-castes would have greatly benefited.
He was addressing a gathering after unveiling the bust of 12th century social reformer Basavanna (Basaveshwara) at Dhanyal village in Babaleshwar taluk of Vijayapura district on Wednesday.
“Lingayat religion founded by Basavanna in the 12th century was an independent religion till 1881. However, in 1881, Mysuru rulers, removed Lingayats from the independent religion column and included them under the Shudra category of Hindu religion,” he said.
“If Lingayat or Basava Dharma, which has compassion as crux of the religion, is followed properly, then there will be no war like situation in the whole world. In the coming years, India will become Basava Bharat and automatically, a harmonious egalitarian society will come into existence,” he said.
Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swami of Lingayat Panchamasali Peetha of Koodalasangama thanked Mr. Patil for facilitating through his generous donation the resumption of the construction of the gigantic statue of Basavanna at Kumbalgod in Bengaluru which stopped midway because of shortage of funds.
The swami called upon farmers not to forget the people who helped them in getting water to their farmland and commended Mr. Patil for his active work as Water Resources Minister during his previous tenure.
Sri Mahantha Swami of Mahantheshwara Mutt of Mudgal Thimmapur said that Basavanna built society on the pedestal of principles that advocated equality. He said that the State government is doing a good job of propagating the ideology of Basavanna which is essential for moving towards a casteless society.
The seer also remembered the contribution of Fa.Gu. Halakatti who dedicated his life for collection and publication of Vachana literature.
Various seers, including Basavalinga Swami of Jnana Yogashrama of Vijayapura, and others were present.
Published – May 07, 2025 09:08 pm IST