The Hindu : Karnataka News : Basavashri award for Swami Agnivesh

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Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007
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Karnataka

Basavashri award for Swami Agnivesh

Staff Correspondent

Noted social activist regales audience with a powerful acceptance speech

Honour: Social activist Swami Agnivesh being presented with the Basavashri award by Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Swami of Murugharajendra Math in Chitradurga on Monday.

Chitradurga: On the fifth and final day of the Sharana Samskriti Utsava, organised by Murugharajendra math here on Monday, noted social activist and recipient of Right Livelihood Award, Swami Agnivesh, was conferred the prestigious Basavashri award.

With this award, Swami Agnivesh has become the 11th person to be honoured the award. The award included Rs. 1 lakh and a citation. Social activists Anna Hazare and Medha Patkar, Buddhist monk Dalai Lama and actor Shabana Azmi are some of the recipients of the award.

Appreciation

Speaking after receiving the award, founder of the Sarva Dharma Samsath, Swami Agnivesh, said that the award is an encouragement to people who are involved in social service.

The swamiji impressed the large audience by beginning his speech reciting the verses of various religious scriptures.

He said that the society needs a revolution to eliminate the “caste” system which is deeply rooted in society. He urged the Union and the State Governments to give reservation in Government and private organisations, to those who undergo inter-caste marriages. “The people who undergo inter-caste marriages should be treated as social reformers, who in a small way are trying to create a casteless society,” he said.

Recalling the contribution of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwar, he said that he had the guts to go against the blind faiths of people who practised inequality.

The swamiji, who is known for his forthright manner, said that Basaveshwar fought to liberate the God, who was for long confined to temples by a few so-called upper class people. “Basaveshwar brought God among the people and placed him in their hearts.

He removed the mediators who were between people and God,” he said.

He said the ideologies of Basaveshwar are more relevant in today’s society.

Swami Shivamurthy Murugha Sharana of Murugharajendra math, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes and former Janata Dal (Secular) leader Mahima Patel were present on the occasion.

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