05-31-2005, 10:17 AM
<b>`Lohia thought like Basaveshwara'</b>
Staff Reporter
<b>Constitution reflects many of the reformer's teachings: Fernandes</b>
Finding common ground: The Revenue Minister, M.P. Prakash; the former Defence Minister, George Fernandes; and Sri Shivarthri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt arriving at a special lecture on Ram Manohar Lohia and Basaveshwara at the J.S.S. Mahavidy a Peeta in Bangalore on Sunday . â Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
BANGALORE: The entry in the Encyclopaedia Britannica that the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara used to bully other religious groups should be corrected, the Janata Dal (United) leader and former Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said here on Sunday.
Mr. Fernandes, who was speaking on "Lohia in the prism of Basaveshwara" to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, said although his acquaintance with Basavanna began only five years ago, thanks to Sri Shivakumaraswamy of Siddaganga Mutt, he had quickly seen the many similarities between Basaveshwara and Ram Manohar Lohia.
Mr. Lohia often said: "Religion is long term politics, and politics is short-term religion." He led a powerful movement in his time as Baavanna had in his day.
Although he chose to speak on Lohia's perception of Basavanna, he had found that Lohia has not made any reference to Basavanna in his speeches. However, he has spoken of Akka Mahadevi, and her missionary zeal in shunning clothes and wandering around seeking gender equality. He had described Akka Mahadevi as the greatest woman of all times, fighting for gender equality, although he noted that her message was more an individualistic gesture, and did not garner any collective value.
Without realising it, Lohia has articulated the philosophy of Basaveshwara, and this can be seen in his call for seven revolutions for gender equality, for backward classes, against discrimination, for democracy and economic freedom, against unjust encroachment of personal space and against weapons.
Mr. Fernandes said that many leaders at the national-level are familiar with Basaveshwara's philosophy, and there are several instances of eminent experts on the Constitution referring to Basaveshwara. The Union Home Minister, Shivaraj Patil, some months ago noted that the Constitution reflects many of the reformer's teachings.
The former President, R. Venkataraman, has spoken of how the Preamble to the Constitution has been inspired by Basaveshwara's philosophy. The late S. Nijalingappa had been told that if the community had not kept Basaveshwara cloistered within itself, he would have been a world leader.Mr. Fernandes said the mutts like Suttur Veerasimhasama, and Siddaganga were doing great service to humanity and they ought to be honoured with the Bharat Ratna. The troubled North East, and Eastern parts of the country were in need of the tonic of Basavanna's wisdom, he said.
The Revenue Minister, M.P. Prakash, who presided over the function, said it was thanks to Mr. Fernandes and the late J.H.Patel that he took to politics, and remains inspired by the socialist philosophy that drove Lohia, and Patel, and continues to inspire Mr. Fernandes.
Staff Reporter
<b>Constitution reflects many of the reformer's teachings: Fernandes</b>
Finding common ground: The Revenue Minister, M.P. Prakash; the former Defence Minister, George Fernandes; and Sri Shivarthri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt arriving at a special lecture on Ram Manohar Lohia and Basaveshwara at the J.S.S. Mahavidy a Peeta in Bangalore on Sunday . â Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
BANGALORE: The entry in the Encyclopaedia Britannica that the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara used to bully other religious groups should be corrected, the Janata Dal (United) leader and former Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said here on Sunday.
Mr. Fernandes, who was speaking on "Lohia in the prism of Basaveshwara" to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, said although his acquaintance with Basavanna began only five years ago, thanks to Sri Shivakumaraswamy of Siddaganga Mutt, he had quickly seen the many similarities between Basaveshwara and Ram Manohar Lohia.
Mr. Lohia often said: "Religion is long term politics, and politics is short-term religion." He led a powerful movement in his time as Baavanna had in his day.
Although he chose to speak on Lohia's perception of Basavanna, he had found that Lohia has not made any reference to Basavanna in his speeches. However, he has spoken of Akka Mahadevi, and her missionary zeal in shunning clothes and wandering around seeking gender equality. He had described Akka Mahadevi as the greatest woman of all times, fighting for gender equality, although he noted that her message was more an individualistic gesture, and did not garner any collective value.
Without realising it, Lohia has articulated the philosophy of Basaveshwara, and this can be seen in his call for seven revolutions for gender equality, for backward classes, against discrimination, for democracy and economic freedom, against unjust encroachment of personal space and against weapons.
Mr. Fernandes said that many leaders at the national-level are familiar with Basaveshwara's philosophy, and there are several instances of eminent experts on the Constitution referring to Basaveshwara. The Union Home Minister, Shivaraj Patil, some months ago noted that the Constitution reflects many of the reformer's teachings.
The former President, R. Venkataraman, has spoken of how the Preamble to the Constitution has been inspired by Basaveshwara's philosophy. The late S. Nijalingappa had been told that if the community had not kept Basaveshwara cloistered within itself, he would have been a world leader.Mr. Fernandes said the mutts like Suttur Veerasimhasama, and Siddaganga were doing great service to humanity and they ought to be honoured with the Bharat Ratna. The troubled North East, and Eastern parts of the country were in need of the tonic of Basavanna's wisdom, he said.
The Revenue Minister, M.P. Prakash, who presided over the function, said it was thanks to Mr. Fernandes and the late J.H.Patel that he took to politics, and remains inspired by the socialist philosophy that drove Lohia, and Patel, and continues to inspire Mr. Fernandes.