A protest against the “offer to appropriate” the Basava philosophy into Hindutva

Activists of various Basava and progressive organizations stage a protest against the proposed Hindu convention near Basava Mahadwara at Basavakalyan in Bidar district on Sunday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Members of several Basava and progressive organizations staged a protest against the Basavadi Sharanas Hindu convention at Basavakalyan on Sunday, saying that while they have no objection to the Hindu convention, they will resist any attempt to link Basava philosophy and Sharana tradition with Hinduism.

Organized by Yuva Rashtriya Basava Dal, Mathe Mahadevi Basava Balaga, Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, Souharda Karnataka Vedike and Chalo Basavakalyan Horata Samiti, the demonstration was organized in front of Basava Mahadwara in Bangla area.

Demonstrators carrying Basava and Shatsthala flags raised slogans against what they described as attempts to appropriate Basava’s teachings with Hindutva ideology.

Later they paid floral tributes to the equestrian statue of Basaveshwara. The protest continued from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with participants staying in place despite occasional rain.

Addressing the gathering, activist Neela K. said the movement is aimed at protecting the Basava philosophy rather than targeting any individual.

She expressed disappointment that some diviners had distanced themselves from the agitation and urged the followers of Basava ideals to remain vigilant against attempts to water down the egalitarian principles of Vachana literature.

Another activist RK Hudgi criticized some religious heads for withdrawing support to the anti-Hindutva convention campaign and said the state government, which has declared Basavanna as the cultural leader of Karnataka, should ensure that his philosophy is not distorted.

Activist Meenakshi Bali said attempts to reinterpret and distort the teachings of Basava and Sharanas have intensified in recent years following the movement to recognize Lingayat as a religion.

“Basava philosophy has fundamentally challenged the Vedic social order. The Hindutva convention under the guise of Basavadi Sharanas is trying to bring Lingayats under a broader Hindu identity,” she said, warning that organizations supporting the proposed Basava Bharata Samskruti Utsava planned by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in a demonstration outside the Basavakals will face a demonstration if2027 outside in religious heads support the action.

Jagatika Lingayata Mahasabha leader RG Shetgar said the Hindutva convention is part of a larger attempt to establish control over the newly proposed Anubhava Mantapa.

He argued that Basavakalyan, a land associated with equality and brotherhood that Basavanna preached, should not be used for such purposes.

The protesters passed three resolutions, including a demand for constitutional recognition of Lingayat as a religion, against the use of the words “Basavadi Sharanaru” in connection with the proposed Hindu Convention and declared their opposition to the proposed Basava Bharata Samskruti Utsava to be held in Basavakalyan in 2027.

The event was attended by several prominent Lingayat leaders including Shivasharanappa Hugge Patil, Sidram Shetkar, Siddappa Mulage, Ravi Papade, Ravindra Kolakur, Ganesh Biradar, Gagan Phule, Veena Manjunath, Channabasava, Basavaraj Bulla, Basalingappa Badarli who came from different parts of the state.

Published – 28 Jun 2026 20:05 IST