Protest staged against Basavadi Sharanara Hindu Samavesha

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Members of Basava Tatva Haagu Samvidhana Rakshana Horata Samiti taking out a protest march in Kalaburagi on Friday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Members of the Basava Tatva Haagu Samvidhana Rakshana Horata Samiti staged a protest in Kalaburagi city on Friday against the proposed Basavadi Sharanara Hindu Samavesha scheduled to be held in the city on Sunday (September 27).

The protest, led by activists Meenakshi Bali, R.K. Hudgi, R.G. Shetagar and followers of Basaveshwara, took out a march from the Kannada Bhavan to Jagat Circle, raising slogans against the event and condemning the use of the term “Hindu” alongside “Basavadi Sharanara”.

Addressing the protesters, Ms. Bali alleged that those who had opposed the Sharanas and their ideology for centuries were now attempting to appropriate the legacy of Basavanna by using the term “Basavadi Sharanara” with “Hindu”.

She alleged that positioning Adrushya Kadasiddheshwar Swami of Kanneri Mutt at the forefront of the event was an attempt to influence and mislead followers of Basavanna.

Mr. Hudgi alleged that the samavesha sought to reinterpret Basavanna’s vachanas and social philosophy to fit a particular ideological narrative. “We will not allow such attempts on the land of the Sharanas, where the 12th-century movement for equality and social justice took shape, and in a region known for the harmonious traditions of Sufi saints,” he added.

The protesters also referred to a court direction concerning the Swami’s proposed address at an event in Basavakalyan a few months ago.

They further alleged that the samavesha to be held in Kalaburagi city was an event backed by the RSS and BJP and could disturb the region’s social harmony.

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