'Caste system still prevalent'

District-in-Charge Minister S Suresh Kumar said that people have respect for Basavanna. However, faith is fast disappearing.

Speaking at Basava Jayanthi programme organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, Kannada and Culture department here on Tuesday, he said “we have been forgetting the principles advocated by the social reformers. Caste system is still prevalent in the country. People have been working against the principles taught by Basavanna.”

MLA C T Ravi said that Basavanna was the voice for voiceless. He advocated the principles of cooperation. He had dreamt of casteless society. Unfortunately, many of the followers are advocating the principles of idol worship which he had opposed from the beginning.

He said there is a need to introspect on the caste system. Basavanna’s principles should be practiced in real life.

Moogthihalli Government PU College Principal Gafar Beigh also spoke. Prior to the stage programme, the portrait of Basavanna was taken out in a procession in the city. The procession was accompanied with ‘Thatteraya,’ ‘Keelu kudure,’ Veeragase and other folk teams.