Kerala - Thrissur   

Basaveshwara’s ideals still relevant: Chief Justice

Thrissur: Chief Justice S.R. Bannurmath on Saturday said that Basaveshwara’s egalitarian ideals had great relevance in modern India. He was addressing a meeting held here by the All-India Veerashaiva Mahasabha in remembrance of 12th-century saint, social reformer and poet Basaveshwara (also called Basavanna or Basava).

Basaveshwara had challenged certain practices in Hinduism, including the caste system and animal sacrifice. He was the Prime Minister of the Southern Kalachuri Empire. ’Vachana Sahitya’ (sayings/sacred hymns in Kannada) written by him had created a literary revolution.

His philosophy later gave birth to a new faith called Lingavanta Dharma or Lingayata.

“His teachings broke the walls between castes. For him, all men were equal. He also worked for improving the status of women. Through Anubhava Mantapa, a movement for spiritual awakening, Basaveshwara laid the foundation for social democracy.

“The movement can be called the first model of a parliament in India. Basaveshwara’s democratic ideals later found their way into the Indian Constitution,” Mr. Justice Bannurmath said. He equated Basaveshwara to the likes of the Buddha, Mahaveera, Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, B. R. Ambedkar and Sri Narayana Guru.“I see similarities between Basaveshwara and Sri Narayana Guru. While Basaveshwara preached that ‘I belong to you, and you belong to me’, Narayana Guru captured the essence of his philosophy in the words, ‘One caste, one religion and one God for mankind’. Both spoke about man’s emancipation," Mr. Justice Bannurmath said.

Aravind Jatti, president of the Basava Samithy and son of former Vice-President B.D. Jatti, Tippanna, senior vice-president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, M. Vijayan, Deputy Mayor, and T. U. Radhakrishnan, former MLA, were present.

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