Hassan: The birth anniversary (jayanti) of 12th-century saint and social reformer Basaveshwara was celebrated with grandeur in Hassan, with speakers highlighting his vachanas and enduring message of social equality.Deputy commissioner Latha Kumari, inaugurating the Basaveshwara Jayanti programme organised by the district administration and the department of Kannada and culture at Hasanamba Kala Kshetra, said Basaveshwara was among the earliest thinkers to raise his voice against gender discrimination. “Even a single vachana of Basaveshwara conveys multiple messages relevant to society,” she said.Describing Basaveshwara as not just a scholar but also an able administrator and reformer, the DC noted that he accorded equal status to women and fearlessly exposed social evils. She recalled his message ‘Kayakave Kailasa’ (work is worship) and his role in establishing the Anubhava Mantapa, a forum for open discussion on spiritual and worldly matters.“Basavanna is not merely an individual, but an ideology. His vision of a casteless, egalitarian society free from religious discrimination remains relevant even today and continues to guide humanity,” she added.Speaking on the occasion, retired principal TM Shivashankarappa said that as a minister in the court of King Bijjala, Basaveshwara fought against caste discrimination, superstition and gender injustice, and worked towards building an equal society based on the principle of Kayakave Kailasa. MP Shreyas Patel and MLA Swaroop Prakash were among those present at the programme.
