HUBBALLI: Union minister Pralhad Joshi’s recent statement on installing a big statue at Unkal Lake has triggered a controversy with activists wanting the statue of Channabasavanna, one of 12th-century sharanas, at the waterbody.
The erasing of ‘Channabasava Sagar’ from a board there is the bone of contention. The lake was already named after Channabasavanna in January 2003. The erasing of his name form the board recently has left activists and the residents of Unkal and Hubballi upset.
Activist S V Patil said that he has a copy — obtained under the RTI Act — of the resolution taken at the HDMC general body meeting in 2003. “As per the proposal made by then BJP corporators, the lake has been named after Channabasavanna. However, Vivekananda’s statue was installed six months after the passing of this resolution,” he said, adding: “There are historical evidences suggesting Channabasavanna’s stay at the lake 900 years ago. He and other sharanas had spread vachanas from here. There is also an evidence of Ambigara Choudayya, another sharana, staying here. Neglecting all these facts, efforts are on to saffronising the lake now. Small temples of Ganapati and Nagadevata have also come up in the premises of Channabasavanna Temple located on the lake bund. These temples contradict the principles of Basavanna and sharanas who are opposed to idol worship.”
Gangadhar Dodwad, a resident in Unkal, said Sri Channabasaveshwar Putthali Horata Samiti, comprising the followers of the sharana, has been demanding the statue of Channabasavanna. “We are not against Swami Vivekananda’s statue, as he is also a source of inspiration for youth. Rather than installing bigger Vivekannanda statue, the existing one can be developed. Channabasavanna’s statue should also be installed here,” he added.
Speaking on the HDMC resolution of January 16, 2003, advocate K S Korishettar said: “Not implementing it even after 18 years is an insult to the principles of democracy. It’s not a new demand at all. We are just pointing out legal lapses on the part of HDMC,” he added.
Joshi was unavailable for a comment, while HDMC commissioner Suresh Itnal was away at Mussoorie for a training programme.