Basava Jayanti was commemorated in Belagavi with Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar garlanding the statue of Sri Basaveshwara at Goaves Circle on Wednesday.
The Minister encouraged the youth to explore the Vachanas of Basavanna and other Sharanas, along with scholarly writings on their lives and societal contributions.
“Basavanna, a 12th-century saint-poet, championed the cause of an egalitarian society, rejecting divisions based on caste, class, or gender. Honouring his legacy means embracing his ideals,” she said.
The event was organised in collaboration with the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Kannada and Culture Department, and the Belagavi City Corporation.
She stressed the need to follow Basavanna’s path, which stood against the marginalisation of individuals and communities, and called for unity and inclusivity.
“By walking in his footsteps, we can lead a dignified life. The progress we see today, in contrast to ancient times, is due to the efforts of Basavanna and fellow Sharanas who devoted themselves to social reform,” she added.
Academic speaker Basavaraja Jagajampi delivered a lecture on Basavanna’s life and philosophy. He stated that Basavanna lit the flame of knowledge among the underprivileged and should not be confined to one community.
“Beyond his principles of Kayaka and Dasoha, Basavanna was a trailblazing Kannada poet and a profound humanist, embodying intellectual and spiritual heights. He possessed a spirit of openness and humility,” Prof. Jagajampi said.
Among those present were Mayor Mangesh Pawar, Deputy Mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, Zilla Panchayat CEO Rahul Shinde, Additional DC Vijayakumar Honakeri, City Corporation DC Udaykumar Talwar, Kannada and Culture Deputy Director Vidyavati Bhajantri, and community leaders Ratnaprabha Bellada, Basavaraja Rotti, Iranna Dayannavara, and others.
