Basavanna’s Manava Dharma the panacea for global conflicts, says former CJI

Mysuru: ‘Manava Dharma’ as envisioned by the 12th century saint-philosopher Basavanna was the only solution for resolving the conflicts plaguing humanity today, said former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Manepalli Narayana Rao Venkatachalaiah here on Tuesday. “Members of all religions are fighting those belonging to faiths other than their own. The only solution to this problem is to embrace the principles of Basavanna’s ‘Manava Dharma’,” said the former CJI.
Justice Venkatachalaiah, who participated in the Basava Jayanti celebrations at Kalamandira organised by the district administration, expressed dismay over the internecine conflicts among members of different sects across the world, adding that the principles propounded by Basavanna in his teachings and vachanas could well prevent such clashes between fellow human beings. “People’s expectations from marriage and society have changed drastically in recent years. Today, education has become precious, and over the next five years, we are going to witness a transformation in this field. Science will inform every endeavour in time to come,” he said.
Justice Venkatachalaiah was full of praise for Suttur Mutt seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, who the former said had the combined knowledge and acumen of a 1,000 MBA graduates. “Swamiji, who has established JSS institutions across the globe, is the equal of 1,000 MBA graduates,” the former CJI said.
Historian Prof Sha Shettar, who delivered the keynote address, remarked that the compendious research material available on Basavanna notwithstanding, the people had not grasped the essence of the saint-poet. “Had we understood his lessons correctly, there would not be as many issues in the world today. Besides his devotees, who have done a grave injustice to Basavanna’s legacy, researchers have produced articles that are not grounded in authentic records. Future researchers must set this aright but they can do so only by disregarding the available literature on the saint,” said Shettar, pointing to Basavanna’s efforts to empower and liberate women in an age when they did not have as much importance.
Mysuru city police commissioner KT Balakrishna Gowda, former Mysuru City Corporation commissioner and executive secretary for JSS Mahavidyapeetha CG Betsurmath, MLC Marithibbe Gowda, Siddeshwara Swamiji, Suttur Mutt seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji and Shanthamuni Shivacharya Swamiji were among those who attended the event at Kalamandira. Meanwhile, several other organisations and political outfits celebrated Basava Jayanti on Tuesday.
Minister, MLA shake a leg at procession
Mysuru district in-charge minister and senior JD(S) leader GT Devegowda showed his lighter side in the course of the Basava Jayanti celebrations. After garlanding the statue of the saint-poet, Devegowda joined the dancers participating in the procession and, to use a common idiom, shook a leg soaking in the celebratory mood of the occasion. Chamaraja MLA and BJP leader L Nagendra followed suit, and soon other local leaders were seen dancing as the procession winded through the lanes of the city.