'10-minute halts can’t win votes’

The ‘Anubhava Mantapa’ of Basavakalyan — the place where social reformer Basavana interacted with Sharanas and took collective decisions on their future course of action — has become politically popular. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered its contribution to democracy in the Parliament, and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and  BJP president Amit Shah visited the mutt.

Pontiff of Bhalki Hiremath Sri Basavalinga Pattada Devaru, who is also the chairman of Anubhava Mantapa, described it as the place where 770 Amaraganamgalu (sharanas) used to hold conferences and wrote vachanas for society’s welfare. Visits of politicians  to Anubhava Mantap cannot be dismissed as politically motivated. Many politicians are also devotees. “I, however, cannot rule out the possibility of political ambition behind such visits,” he says, adding that voters are not fooled by these. He praised the state government for recommending to the Centre a separate religion status for the Lingayats.

Litterateur Mahantesh Kumbar feels both Rahul and Shah visited the place for political gains. “By not spending even 10 minutes to learn about the importance of the place, both of them  have shown how much devotion they have for Basavanna,” he said. Prof Rudreshwar Mathipati agrees, adding that voters won’t be fooled.