Casteless society, need of the hour: Minister Ramanath Rai

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 30, 2017: Addressing the gathering during Basava Jayanti celebrations organised by the district administration in association with the Kannada and Culture Department and the Karavali Veerashaiva Welfare Association, Urwa,  at Town Hall, DK District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai on April 29, Saturday made a call to the people to build a casteless society without more delay.

Minister Rai pointed to a ’Anubhava Mantapa,’ the union of representatives of different castes who strove for the cause of building a casteless society under the leadership of 12th century social reformer Basavanna. Quoting the Vachanas of Basavanna, Rai said, the social reformers had laid a firm foundation by propagating the cause of secular society.

Chief Whip of the Government in State Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza said, it was timely that the state government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah decided to pay a fitting tribute to Basavanna by ordering all government offices to put up the portrait of the social reformer.  Saying that the thinkings of Basavanna are all-time relevant, Ivan said, the essence of Vachana literature can be equated with many situations irrespective of field.

MLC Ivan also hailed Minister Ramanath Rai for adopting the thinking of Basavanna, like whom, the latter too believes in ’Work is Worship’.


Basavanna’s portrait in offices for accountability
Udupi District in-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said that Basavanna is the epitome of egalitarianism as he proposed the concept of virtual democracy some 900 years ago.

At the Basava Jayanti celebrations organised by zilla panchayat in association with district administration and Kannada and Culture department, the minister in Udupi said that Basavanna laid the foundation for our democracy. He said that the government’s notification to put up Basavanna’s portrait in all government offices would bring in more egalitarianism and make officials more committed towards discharging their duties. The principles practised by Basavanna should be incorporated among officials while discharging their duties, he said.

Madhwaraj said that, "Basavanna revolted against the discrimination and suppression of lower caste in 12th century and the era can be clearly remembered as the golden age for the lower caste wherein several social reformers like him tried counteracting superstitious beliefs. Reformers like Ambigara Chowdaiah and Madara Chennaiah and Basavanna ensured that the 12th century ushered in new hopes in the way of getting rid of the heinous practice of untouchability and caste hierarchy."

The minister said that although Basavanna was born into a rich upper caste family, he raised his voice in favour of the suppressed. "His community was in an advantageous position. He was not a victim of subjugation but rebelled against the atrocities committed by his own community which is unique and makes Basavanna more exceptional," he said.

Man of the times: Udupi DC Priyanka Mary Francis said Basavanna is the man of the age. "His teachings remain relevant even today. He started off the revolutionary movement against caste system and discrimination about seven hundred years ago but sadly the practice exists even today," she said. The officer said that Basavanna’s preachings were imparted in a simple language. He believed that the immoral and unethical way of life is not the means of salvation, instead one should perform their work diligently to attain salvation," she said.  Delivering a talk on the occasion, Karibasappa Korishettar, an advocate from Dharwad, demanded that a road should be named after Basavanna in Udupi, besides Udupi CMC should allot some land to promote the preachings of Basavanna by constructing a small structure in his memory.