From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Tumkur, Jan 21: Though they are political rivals and have been publicly criticising each other, chief minister Siddaramaiah and BJP’s former chief minister B S Yediyurappa shared a dais at the Siddaganga Math, considered the most prominent religious Math belonging to the dominant Lingayat community to which Yediyurappa belongs, and it was a rare scene to witness the BJP leader publicly praising Siddaramaiah.
The two leaders participated at a function in the Siddaganga Math for opening the ‘Smriti Vana’ in honour of the late centurion Dr Sri Shivakumara Shivayogi swamiji on his fifth death anniversary, and Yedyurappa warmly appreciated the decision of the Siddaramaiah regime for declaring Sharana Shrestha Basavanna as ‘Karnataka’s Cultural Ambassodor.’’
Yediyurappa, who spoke ahead of Siddaramaiah, complimented the chief minister for conferring the rare honour to Basavanna and said it was a great occasion and welcome gesture to the Lingayat community.
The chief minister, in his speech, said the Constitution was like a religious text for all people and said the Vachana Kranti that was practised and propagated by Basavanna and the Lingayat pontiffs had the same values and therefore both are equally sacred.
Siddaramaiah said the late swamiji of Siddaganga Math Dr Shivakumar Swamiji, who passed away at 111 years in 2019, was hailed and honoured as the ‘Nadedaduva Devaru’ (walking god) and the State Government had conferred its highest honour of ‘Karnataka Ratna.’
The chief minister demanded that the late Dr Shivakumar Swamiji must be conferred India’s highest civilian honour of ‘Bharat Ratna’ posthumously and promised to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
The 12th century religious leader Basavanna was a revolutionary and advocated a society without caste and class barriers and propagated creation of a society with equality of all people. Basavanna’s ideals are expounded in the Indian Constitution and it is the duty of all citizens follow the Constitutional values and Basavanna’s teachings, he said.
The chief minister said the late Seer had left a rich legacy of service and feeding the hungry and it is laudable that the Siddaganga Math is providing food and shelter while the educational and health institutions are caring the poor and needy.
Sri Siddalinga Mahaswami, Tontadarya Mutt swamiji Sri Tontada Siddarama Mahaswamy, Siddaganga Math swamiji Sri Shiva Siddeshwara Swamy participated in the programme. Home minister Dr G Parameshwar, cooperation minister K Rajanna, forest minister Ishwar Khandre, Industries Minister M B Patil, Karnataka’s Delhi representative T B Jayachandra, Legislatora Jyothi Ganesh, Suesh Gowda, Shrinivas and former KRIDL Chairman M Rudresh attended the function.