Leaders pay tributes to Basavanna

Leaders from across the political spectrum paid floral tributes to Basaveshwara, 12th century philosopher and poet, on his birth anniversary on Tuesday.

The ‘Basava Vibhushana’ Award was conferred on veteran Congress leader M.V. Rajashekaran. Ministers H. Anjaneya, H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, and Ramalinga Reddy were present.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released a book titled

Anna Basavanna – Anna Ambedkar at a function organised by the Basava Samiti in the city and he recalled teachings of Basavanna.

He said the reformer fought against caste system and spread social awareness through his poetry, known as Vachanas.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said Kudala Sangama, a major pilgrimage centre near Bagalkot in North Karnataka, would be developed on the model of Akshardham Temple in New Delhi to propagate Basaveshwara’s principles far and wide. A sum of Rs. 100 crore had been set aside in the State Budget 2015-16 towards developing the centre, the Chief Minister ssaid.

In New Delhi, MPs from Karnataka and Union Ministers Ananth Kumar, Sadananda Gowda and G.M. Siddeshwar garlanded the statue of Basaveshwar at the Parliament House complex. They called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and presented a photo of Basaveshwara. The district administrations of Bidar, Belagavi, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Ballari, and Vijayapura celebrated Basava Jayanti with religious fervour.

In Vijayapura, Minister for Water Resources M.B. Patil said he would urge the government to withdraw all public holidays notified in honour of prominent historical personalities.