A Veerashaiva-Lingayat delegation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Monday.
| Photo Credit: special arrangement
A delegation of Ministers, MLAs, and seers belonging to the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community on Monday met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and demanded allotment of ₹500 crore in the State Budget for 2025-26 for spreading the philosophy of 12th century social reformer Basavanna, the cultural icon of Karnataka.
The delegation demanded an allotment of ₹100 crore each in the next five years for spreading the values and messages of Vachanas written by Basavanna. Vachanas of the social reformer are regarded among Karnataka’s greatest contributions to Indian thought and literature. The vachanas condemned and fought against social evils such as untouchability, child marriage, and discrimination in society.
The delegation, comprising Minister for Industries M.B. Patil, Chief Minister’s economic adviser Basavaraj Rayaraddi and Congress MLAs, demanded installation of a statue of Basavanna on the road linking to the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, establishment of Vachana University near the Anubhava Mantapa at Koodala Sangama in Bagalkot district, Sharana Kendra on 25 acres in Bengaluru city, and Basava Kendras in all districts.
Mr. Siddaramaiah will present the State Budget on March 7.
Published – February 24, 2025 07:44 pm IST