Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa has said that social discrimination based on castes, religion and other cultural identities can be fought and equality and harmony established by following the teachings of the Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar.
“Knowledge and compassion are the message of the Buddha. Basavanna and the other Sharanas (reformers) took the Buddha’s philosophy forward to establish an egalitarian society free from all forms of discrimination. Dr. Ambedkar fought against exploitation, oppression and discrimination in society. He incorporated the same ideas of democracy, equality and justice in the Constitution. We must understand this history. Since we have forgotten this history, we are witnessing clashes in the name of caste and religion,” Dr. Mahadevappa said.
He was speaking at the seventh Anubhava Mantapa Parliament and the conference of equality organised by Basava Mahamane Trust at Basavakalyan in Bidar district on Sunday.
Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board chairman Ajay Singh stressed the need for popularising Sharana culture which calls for humanity to set aside discrimination and exploitation based on caste.
Member of Legislative Council Tippannappa Kamaknur said that he will do everything possible in his capacity to provide funds to Basava Mahamane Trust which is working to spread Sharana philosophy among the people.
Head of Shaheen Group of Institutions Abdul Qadeer was honoured with Souharda Ratna Award.
Municipal Administration Minister Rahim Khan, Lok Sabha member from Bidar Sagar Khandre, legislators Sharanu Salagar, Siddalingappa Patil, seers Channabasavananda Swamy, Gurubasava Pattaddevaru and Channabasavanna Swamy, chairperson of the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation Mala B. Narayan Rao, former legislators Rajashekhar Patil and Vijay Singh, activist Laxman Dasti and other leaders were present.
