Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Anubhava Mantapa, being constructed by the State government at Basavakalyana in Bidar district at a cost of nearly ₹600 crore, will be completed and inaugurated next year.
He was speaking after inaugurating “Basava Jayanti–2025: Our Journey Towards Anubhava Mantapa”, organised by the Federation of Basava Organisations and the All India Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha, at Kalamandira here on Saturday.
Mr. Siddaramaiah described Anubhava Mantapa as the first “Parliament” because it was open to all sections of society, including women, to air their views.
“Basavanna expounded to the world a culture rooted in kayaka (labour) and dasoha (selfless service) because in ancient times, profession was linked to caste,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah. As Basavanna propounded the concept of dignity of labour, he was hence not only a social reformer but also an economic expert, Mr. Siddaramaiah added.
Delving at length on the message propounded by Basavanna, the Chief Minister said the 12th century saint and reformer spoke against the caste system and the social revolution against it launched by Basavadi Sharanas has not occurred anywhere else in the world.
The Basavadi Sharanas walked the talk in their struggle to build an equal and casteless society, he added. Though centuries have passed since the social reform movement, and Basavanna spoke of a casteless society, it still persists, said Mr. Siddaramaiah who pointed out that Basavanna’s teachings are relevant for all time, and his values should be embraced by all sections of the society.
Referring to the contributions of Basavadi Sharanas, the Chief Minister said their experiences became the Vachanas. The Vachana literature, delivered in spoken language, reached those who had been deprived of education, said Mr. Siddaramaiah.
He referred to the caste discrimination in society that kept the “lower castes” out of the purview of education which, he said, was the privilege of the “upper castes.”
Referring to his own background, the Chief Minister said that his parents were deprived of education and he himself was admitted directly to 5th standard at the insistence of Rajappa, his teacher.
“Because of Rajappa Master, I was directly admitted to the fifth grade, received education, and became Chief Minister twice,” he added and attributed his education and his political growth to the provisions made in the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
The values enshrined in the Vacahanas are also reflected in the Constitution and hence it was important to study and save it, he added. Responding to the demand of the organisers, the Chief Minister assured the Federation of Basava Organisations, more funds would be allocated for the construction of Basava Bhavana.
Suttur seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami, Mysuru district in-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, MLA Tanvir Sait, and others were present. Earlier, a procession of folk artists was also taken out along the main roads of the city.
Published – May 24, 2025 05:47 pm IST
