'Basava Dharma' is an independent religion, says Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Jul 27: In remarks that could trigger a row, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Saturday said 'Basava Dharma' was an independent religion, which is neither inside nor outside of Hinduism.
By 'Basava Dharma', Siddaramaiah was apparently referring to the Lingayat sect founded by 12th century AD social reformer Basaveshwara in North Karnataka.
Voicing his opinion for the first time on according separate religion tag to the Lingayat sect during his tenure as chief minister, Siddaramaiah said "Basava Dharma is a separate religion just like Buddhism and Jainism. It is neither inside nor outside Hinduism.
"I am of the opinion that it is an independent religion," he said at the launch of two books 'Lingayat Kannada Vachanadharma' and 'Vachanadharma Arivina Beragu authored by poet S G Siddaramaiah at Gandhi Bhavan here.
The Congress leader said he never expressed his views as chief minister of the state for he had to take everybody's views on the topic.
Basaveshwara had fought against social evils prevailing in society, especially casteism and kept the philosophy of benevolence, compassion and charity as the centrepiece of his sect.
Drawing a parallel between the teachings of Basaveshwara and the Constitution, he said "those are anti-social whose deeds are contrary to the constitution."
His remark came hours after he termed the BJP government led by Lingayat strongman and new chief minister B S Yediyurappa in the state unconstitutional and unethical as the party with 105 MLAs was way off the halfway mark (111 seats) of the existing strength of 221 in the Karnataka assembly.
The former chief minister likened casteism as dust settled on top of the water.
"If someone wants to drink the water then the person has to remove the layer of dust," Siddaramaiah said, adding that if the dust was not removed, it will permanently settle and spoil the quality of water.
Speaking about challenges faced by people who wanted to uproot the social evil, he said everyone who fought against it had to face the consequences.
Siddaramaiah, however, rued that he became the scapegoat on granting separate religion tag to Lingayat sect.
When he was the chief minister his government championed for the cause of separate religion tag to Lingayat-Veerashaiva sect just ahead of the Assembly election in 2018.
The BJP had then termed it as a desperate bid to retain power by dividing Hindus.
Congress lost about 42 seats in the 2018 election compared to its performance in 2013. The Lingayat issue is said to be one of the major reasons behind it.
Explaining what went wrong, Siddaramaiah said the idea was mooted by the religious leaders of the Lingayat sect and he had asked them to come together.
However, they did not turn up and he had to take the lead. As a result, he was projected as a villain by his opponents, he added.
ಬಸವ ಧರ್ಮ ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಧರ್ಮ ಎನ್ನುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದೇ ಸಂಶಯ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಇದು ನನ್ನ ವೈಯಕ್ತಿಕ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯ. ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಆಗಿದ್ದಾಗ ನಾನು ಈ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಕಾರಣ ಆಗ ಎಲ್ಲಾರ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯವನ್ನು ನಾನು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಬೇಕಿತ್ತು.#ಗಾಂಧಿಭವನ #ಪುಸ್ತಕಲೋಕಾರ್ಪಣೆ pic.twitter.com/cTPKh4fxPj
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 27, 2019
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
PM leads mega roadshow in Sikkim, to attend celebrations marking 50 years of statehood on Tuesday
Gangtok (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a mega roadshow in Gangtok on Monday evening after arriving in Sikkim to attend the closing ceremony of 50 years of statehood celebrations.
Modi, who wore a traditional Bhutia cap and a Lepcha coat, was received at the Libing helipad by Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
From the helipad, the PM began the roadshow, which concluded at Lok Bhavan, where he will stay overnight.
On the open vehicle, Modi was flanked by CM Tamang on his left and state BJP president D R Thapa on his right.
Large crowds lined the roads for hours, waving national flags and waiting to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.
As his convoy moved slowly through the city, people broke into celebrations. Some enthusiastic supporters chanted "Modi, Modi, Modi", while a few women were seen showering flower petals in his direction.
Modi acknowledged the cheering crowds by waving continuously.
Tamang was also seen urging the gathered people to cheer for the PM during the roadshow.
The route of the roadshow was decorated, with arch gates erected at several points and large cut-outs of Modi placed along the roads.
On Tuesday, Modi will visit the Orchidarium in Gangtok. To commemorate the golden jubilee of Sikkim's statehood and showcase the state's ecological and floral heritage, the 'Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari' Park has been developed as a world-class Orchid Experience Centre.
The PM will also participate in the closing ceremony of Sikkim's 50th statehood celebrations at Paljor Stadium, where he will unveil development projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore.
The projects cover several sectors, including infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism and agriculture.
Modi is also scheduled to address the gathering on the occasion.
He was expected to attend the opening ceremony of the year-long celebrations last year, but could not reach the venue due to inclement weather. However, he addressed the event virtually from Siliguri in neighbouring West Bengal.
Tamang later thanked the people for giving the grand reception to the PM during the hour-long roadshow in the state capital.
"With immense fervour and heartfelt enthusiasm, the people of Sikkim accorded a grand and resounding welcome to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on his arrival in Gangtok," he said in a social media post.
Tamang said people from all walks of life gathered in large numbers to greet him, reflecting the deep respect and warm affection the people of Sikkim hold for his leadership.
"It was indeed an honour to join him during the roadshow and witness the overwhelming love and support of the people firsthand," he said.
