Siddaramaiah, Namma Metro's Yellow Line at Rastriya Vidyalaya interchange (inset).
Credit: X/@siddaramaiah, DH Photo
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he will put forward a proposal before the Centre to rename the Bangalore Metro Rail project, popularly referred to as "Namma Metro", after the 12th century social reformer Basavanna, as he addressed a gathering at the closing ceremony of the 'Basava Culture Campaign-2025' .
The event was organised to mark the anniversary of "Vishwaguru Basavanna" being declared as the "Karnataka Cultural Leader."
"Metro project is by both the state and central government. Our (state) share may be more at 87 per cent, 13 per cent by the Centre, but still, without central government's approval, we cannot do anything. I will place this proposal before the central government," Siddaramaiah said, responding to the demand from the crowd.
He added, "You need not demand us to do things about Basavanna...if the project was entirely by our government, I would have given my approval now itself, but as it is the project jointly both by the state and the central government, I cannot give approval here. I will have to write to the Centre and seek their approval. Our government will look into it." Siddaramaiah also disclosed that the government has agreed to the request seeking establishment of "Vachana University", and the necessary steps will be taken to set up the university next year.
'Vachana,' a prosaic form well known in Kannada literature, was a style of writing used by Basavanna and others associated with the Vachana or the Sharana movements for spreading bringing equality in the society and social awareness in the 12th century.
Mentioning that he is a fan of Basavanna and has faith and loyalty in Basavanna's philosophy, Siddaramaiah said, "Basavanna preached coexistence and tolerance throughout his life. I too will follow this." No one is superior because of caste. Similarly, talent and knowledge are not the property of any one caste, he said.
The CM also announced that the ongoing project on the replica of 'Anubhava Mantapa' at Basavakalyan in Bidar district, will be completed by next year. -- It is said to be the first religious parliament in the world, where saints and philosophers of the Lingayat movement, including Basavanna held discourse in 12th century,
Basavanna's dream was to build a humane society without caste and class. "We are all human beings first, then Indians. Therefore, we should not tolerate or practice man-made discrimination of caste, religion, and inequality," the CM said.
Freedom, equality, and fraternity are the aspirations of the Constitution. "Basavanna also took the initiative to build a society of casteless, classless fraternity. Therefore, Basavanna is always relevant," he said.
(with agency inputs)