Members of several Basava and progressive organisations staged a protest in Basavakalyan on Sunday opposing the Hindu Convention of Basavadi Sharanas, asserting that while they have no objection to a Hindu gathering, they will resist any attempt to associate Basava philosophy and the Sharana tradition with Hindutva.

The demonstration, organised by the Yuva Rashtriya Basava Dal, Mathe Mahadevi Basava Balaga, Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, Souharda Karnataka Vedike and Chalo Basavakalyan Horata Samiti, was staged in front of the Basava Mahadwara in the Bangla area.

Protesters carrying Basava and Shatsthala flags raised slogans against what they described as attempts to appropriate Basava’s teachings by Hindutva ideology.

They later paid floral tributes to the equestrian statue of Basaveshwara. The protest continued from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m, with participants remaining at the venue despite intermittent rain.

Addressing the gathering, activist Neela K. said that the movement is aimed at protecting Basava philosophy rather than targeting any individual.

She expressed disappointment that some seers have distanced themselves from the agitation and urged followers of Basava’s ideals to remain vigilant against attempts to dilute the egalitarian principles of Vachana literature.

Another activist R.K. Hudgi criticised certain religious heads for withdrawing support to the campaign against the Hindutva convention and said the State government, having declared Basavanna the cultural leader of Karnataka, should ensure that his philosophy is not distorted.

Activist Meenakshi Bali said that attempts have intensified in the recent years to reinterpret and distort the teachings of Basava and the Sharanas following the movement that sought recognition of Lingayat as a religion.

“Basava philosophy fundamentally challenged the Vedic social order. The Hindutva convention under the guise of Basavadi Sharanas seeks to bring Lingayats under a broader Hindu identity,” she said and warned that organisations supporting a proposed Basava Bharata Samskruti Utsava, planned by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Basavakalyan in 2027, will face protests, including demonstrations outside mutts, if religious heads extend support to the event.

Jagatika Lingayata Mahasabha leader R.G. Shetgar said that the Hindutva convention is part of a larger attempt to establish control over the newly proposed Anubhava Mantapa.

He asserted that Basavakalyan, the land associated with equality and brotherhood preached by Basavanna, should not be used for such purposes.

The protesters adopted three resolutions, including the demand for constitutional recognition for Lingayat as a religion, opposing the use of the words “Basavadi Sharanaru” in connection with the proposed Hindu convention and declaring their opposition to the proposed Basava Bharata Samskruti Utsava scheduled to be held in Basavakalyan in 2027.

Several prominent Lingayat leaders, including Shivasharanappa Hugge Patil, Sidram Shetkar, Siddappa Mulage, Ravi Papade, Ravindra Kolakur, Ganesh Biradar, Gagan Phule, Veena Manjunath, Channabasava, Basavaraj Bulla, Basalingappa Badarli, who arrived from different parts of the State and beyond, participated in the event.