Udupi : Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said the preaching of the great literary and spiritual legend Basavanna is ever relevant.

Speaking after inaugurating the birthday celebrations of Basavanna ‘Basava Jayanti,’ here on Tuesday, the minister said that the teachings and spiritual Vachanas of Basavanna leads towards the virtues of humanity and compassion.

He said although Basavanna lived during 12th century, his preaching and principles are relevant even to this day. Basavanna tried introducing innovative ideas through his preaching in the society.

He tried eradicating social evils like inequality, blind beliefs , atrocities against women and caste system through his Vachanas. The minister added Basavanna stressed on oneness among humans and he always led the human kind through the pedestals of humanity. He added that Basavanna was instrumental in upholding the values of respecting women.

Delivering the special talk, Tenkanidiyur Pre-University College Principal Dr Nikethana said Basavanna is a revolutionary. He reached out to the people through his simple preaching and simple language. He was an spiritual messenger and simultaneously carried out his job through revolutionary ideas.

He never imposed his ideas on people, however the followers were impressed with the simple thoughtful preaching of Basavanna.He was visionary, who always stressed on equality and called upon people to see god in the lay man. He never differentiated with the occupations and always preached that even the poorest of the poor also have the right to live a respectful life.

He struggled to eliminate the caste system and urged his followers to treat all humans equal irrespective of their caste, religion and creed, she said.