Terming the Kanheri Math seer’s programme scheduled for June 28 at Basavakalyan as an attempt to appropriate the egalitarian legacy of the 12th century Sharanas, the Jagatika Lingayata Mahasabha (JLM) on Thursday announced a Basavakalyan Chalo protest rally to be held on the same day.

Addressing a press conference here, JLM district president R.G. Shetagar, along with leaders of Souharda Karnataka and the federation of Basava-centric organisations, said that efforts are being made to reinterpret the Vachanas of Basaveshwara and project the Sharana tradition through a Hindutva framework.

“The Kadasiddheshwar Swami of Kanheri is scheduled to visit Basavakalyan on June 28 to participate in a Hindu Samavesha of Basavadi Sharanas. We strongly oppose the event as it undermines the radical and egalitarian legacy of the Sharanas. The seer has been misinterpreting Vachanas and falsely saying that Basavanna endorsed the Ramayana. We will mobilise followers of Basavanna from across the State and prevent the communalisation of Sharana philosophy,” Mr. Shetagar said.

He announced that a protest rally will be staged at the entrance to Basavakalyan at 10 a.m. on June 28. He said that activists will, as part of the agitation, block major roads leading to the town, including the busy National Highway 65 that connects Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Referring to the recent denial of entry to the Kanheri seer in Vijayapura, Mr. Shetagar urged the Bidar district administration to take similar measures to prevent his entry to Basavakalyan.

“Kanheri seer was recently denied entry to Vijayapura over his communal remarks and the decision was upheld by court. We appeal to the Bidar Deputy Commissioner, the Kalaburagi Regional Commissioner and the Home Minister to ensure that Basavakalyan remains free from attempts to communalise Basavanna’s inclusive philosophy,” he said.

Mr. Shetagar said that the Sharana movement emerged nearly 900 years ago as a powerful social and philosophical movement that challenged caste hierarchy, ritualism and exclusionary practices.

“We will resist any attempt to drag the Sharana tradition into Manuvadi ideology and restore the very structures that Basavanna and the Sharanas fought against,” he said.

He said that a preparatory meeting of Basava-centric organisations will be held at Basavakalyan on Sunday to finalise the agitation plan.

Representatives of Dalit organisations, labour unions, farmers groups, women’s organisations and student bodies are expected to participate, he added.

Anubhava Green City

Mr. Shetagar also announced that the foundation stone for Anubhava Green City, a residential project being developed by the Bidar-based Vachana Group, will be laid at Aland on Saturday.

He said that the Vachana Group, an organisation of Basava followers, has been implementing various programmes aimed at improving the economic and social well-being of its members and the housing project is part of those efforts.

The former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda is scheduled to inaugurate the programme, while Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil will lay the foundation stone.

Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Bidar MP Sagar Khandre, Aland MLA B.R. Patil and Sharana Basaveshwar Samsthan head Dakshayani Avva are expected to participate.

JLM general secretary Ashok Ghooli and other Lingayat leaders were present at the press conference.