Madikeri/Chikkamagaluru : Speaking at Basaveshwara Jayanthi organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, and Kannada and Culture department here on Monday, he called Basavanna a social reformer. He tried to bring in changes in the society through his vachanas, said the MLC.

Arameri Mutt Seer Shanthamallikarjuna Swami, who also spoke on the occasion said that Basavanna’s preachings are relevant even to this day.

Seer of Kirukodli Mutt Sadashiva Swami said, “Inter-caste marriages are not accepted in society even to this day. At a time when underprivileged were kept at a distance, Basavanna brought them under one platform through Anubhava Mantapa.”

President of the district unit of Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha D B Dharmappa said that there is a need to ward off caste system. The portrait of Basavanna was taken out in a procession. Dollu Kunitha and Pooja Kunitha artistes performed on the occasion.

Basaveshwara Jayanthi was observed also at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat district unit office at Fort premises in Madikeri. President of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Kodagu district unit Lokesh Sagar said that Vachanas have contributed to the Kannada literary world.

Zilla Panchayat president Chaitra Malathesh said that Basaveshwara believed in humanity. Speaking at Basaveshwara Jayanthi in Chikkamagaluru, she said that caste system needs to be eradicated from the society.

Legislator B B Ningaiah expressed concern over honour killing in the name of caste system and said Basavanna had propagated inter-caste marriage in the 12th century.

Legislator C T Ravi, Member of Legislative Council Motamma, Deputy Commissioner S P Shadakshariswamy and others were present.