The Billava community, once considered a marginal group by the upper caste in the 19th century and deprived of access to temples, education, and social progress, has undergone remarkable transformation. Today, they are strong academically, socially, and economically. This transformation, according to Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Senior Fellow and Assistant Professor at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, is largely attributed to the influence of Brahmashri Narayana Guru, a spiritual leader and social reformer.

During an exclusive interview with Vartha Bharati, Dr. Kumar, who is conducting research on the Billava community, shared insights into their journey of empowerment and the key factors that contributed to their progress. Here are the excerpts of the Interview below.

Q: What is the focus of your current research, and what are the key findings so far?

My research explores the issues of caste, religion, and social mobility among the Billava community. Historically, around 1840, the Billavas were economically and socially marginalized. At that time, the Basel Mission attempted to convert them to Christianity, emphasizing education and economic improvement. However, the teachings of Brahmashri Narayana Guru, who advocated "One caste, one religion, one God," inspired the Billava leaders to unite and establish their own identity without converting.

Narayana Guru’s efforts to promote education and equality through the establishment of temples, such as the Kudroli Gokarnanath Temple in Mangalore, played a pivotal role in the social transformation of the Billava community. His teachings encouraged the community to prioritize education and self-reliance, laying the foundation for their progress.

Q: What did your research reveal about the Basel Mission’s activities in Mangaluru?

The Basel Mission began its work in Mangalore in the mid-19th century with the primary goal of converting people to Christianity. While the number of conversions was relatively small, most converts were from the Billava community. The missionaries emphasized cleanliness, discipline, and complete acceptance of Christianity.

The Basel Mission also introduced education and technical skills, which benefited the Billava community. Schools were established, offering access to education, and German technology brought industrial progress, such as the establishment of tile factories. Despite these efforts, many Billavas chose to remain Hindus, inspired by the teachings of Narayana Guru. His philosophy helped the community maintain its cultural identity while embracing education and economic advancement.

Q: How do you define the current strength of the Billava community in Dakshina Kannada?

The Billava community has grown significantly stronger through the establishment of educational institutions, cooperative societies, and temples inspired by Narayana Guru. Education and economic mobility have been the pillars of their progress.

Over time, many Billava youth migrated to cities like Mumbai and to Gulf countries, contributing to the community’s economic strength. Today, the Billava community is actively involved in various industries and politics. Their institutions provide scholarships and educational resources, ensuring continued progress. The transformation from a marginalized group to a thriving community is remarkable and serves as a model for other communities.

Q: What makes the Billava community unique in your research?

The Billavas are socially and politically conscious and prioritize education and community welfare, drawing inspiration from Narayana Guru’s teachings. While they may align with different political ideologies, their commitment to the progress of their community remains steadfast.

The Billava trusts and organizations are playing a crucial role in uplifting not just their own community but also supporting other marginalized groups. This inclusive approach is a positive step toward achieving social equality.

Q: What interests you most about Dakshina Kannada?

I have been visiting Dakshina Kannada since 2021 to study the Basel Mission. Currently, my research focuses on how the Billava community continues to follow Narayana Guru’s teachings and how this has led to their empowerment.

I am also intrigued by Bhootharadhana (spirit worship), which holds cultural significance in this region. I plan to study this in greater detail during my future visits. Dakshina Kannada’s diversity, blending various religions and cultures, makes it a fascinating area for research.

Q: What are your suggestions for further empowering the Billava community?

The Billava community is already making significant contributions to social, educational, and economic development. Strengthening their cooperative and educational initiatives will further empower not only their own community but also others in rural and marginalized areas.

About Dr. Mukesh Kumar

Dr. Mukesh Kumar is a Senior Fellow and Assistant Professor at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. He completed his BA, MA, and MPhil from Delhi University, and his PhD from the University of Sydney (2019). He is the recipient of prestigious grants, including the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowship (2019–21) and the ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2021–23). His research interests include caste, religion, and social mobility; urban religion; and cultural practices. He has authored the book Between Muslim Peer and Hindu Saint: Lal Das and Devotional Culture in North India (Cambridge University Press, 2024) and is a co-editor of works on caste and religion with Leiden University Press.

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.



Mumbai, Jul 26 (PTI): Enforcement Directorate searches against the companies of Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani in Mumbai continued for the third day on Saturday with the agency recovering a number of documents and computer peripherals from multiple locations, official sources said.

The raids were launched on July 24 by the federal probe agency as part of an alleged Rs 3,000 crore worth bank loan fraud-linked money laundering case apart from multiple other allegations of financial irregularities with crores of rupees by certain companies.

The searches, being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), are continuing at some locations out of the more than 35 premises that were covered in Mumbai since Thursday, the sources said.

These premises belong to 50 companies and 25 people including a number of executives of the Anil Ambani Group companies.

ED sources had said the investigation primarily pertains to allegations of illegal loan diversion of around Rs 3,000 crore, given by the Yes Bank to the group companies of Ambani between 2017-2019.

Reliance Power and Reliance Infrastructure, two companies of the group, had on Thursday informed the stock exchanges saying while they acknowledge the action, the raids had "absolutely no impact" on their business operations, financial performance, shareholders, employees, or any other stakeholders.

"The media reports appear to pertain to allegations concerning transactions of Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM) or Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) which are over 10 years old," the companies had said.

The ED, the sources had said, has found that just before the loan was granted, Yes Bank promoters "received" money in their concerns.

The agency is investigating this nexus of "bribe" and the loan.

The sources said the ED is also probing allegations of "gross violations" in Yes Bank loan approvals to these companies including charges like back-dated credit approval memorandums, investments proposed without any due diligence/credit analysis in violation of banks credit policy.

The loans are alleged to have been "diverted" to many group companies and "shell" (bogus) companies by the entities involved.

The agency is also looking at some instances of loans given to entities with weak financials, lack of proper documentation of loans and due diligence, borrowers having common addresses and common directors in their companies etc., the sources said.

The money laundering case stems from at least two CBI FIRs and reports shared by the National Housing Bank, SEBI, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and Bank of Baroda with the ED, they said.

These reports indicate, the sources said, that there was a "well-planned and thought after scheme" to divert or siphon off public money by cheating banks, shareholders, investors and other public institutions.

The Union government had informed the Parliament recently that the State Bank of India has classified RCOM along with Ambani as 'fraud' and was also in the process of lodging a complaint with the CBI.

A bank loan "fraud" of more than Rs 1,050 crore between RCOM and Canara Bank is also under the scanner of the ED apart from some "undisclosed" foreign bank accounts and assets, the sources said.

Reliance Mutual fund is also stated to have invested Rs 2,850 crore in AT-1 bonds and a "quid pro quo" is suspected here by the agency.

Additional Tier 1 (AT-1) are perpetual bonds issued by banks to increase their capital base and they are riskier than traditional bonds having higher interest rates. An alleged loan fund diversion of about Rs 10,000 crore involving Reliance Infrastructure too is under the scanner of the agency.

A Sebi report on RHFL is also part of the ED probe.

The companies also said in their filings before the stock exchanges that Anil Ambani was not on the Board of either Reliance Power or Reliance Infrastructure and that they had no "business or financial linkage" to RCOM or RHFL.

Any action taken against RCOM or RHFL, the companies said, has no bearing or impact on the governance, management, or operations of either Reliance Power or Reliance Infrastructure.