BENGALURU: On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed on Monday visited the historic Anubhava Mantapa in Basavkalyan, describing the 12th-century institution founded by social reformer Basavanna as a wellspring of democratic thought that modern legislatures have yet to fully absorb.
Speaking to the TNIE after his visit, Ahmed, who was recently granted a five-year pass allowing him uninterrupted access to Parliament, said Basavanna's teachings on inclusiveness remain, in his words, the bedrock of democracy to this day. "What he taught us about equality, we are finding it challenging to implement even to this day," he said, adding that Basavanna's ideas were centuries ahead of his time.
Ahmed said that he had learnt more about democracy from Anubhava Mantapa than from any other institution of comparable antiquity, and called for Basavanna's guiding principles to be implemented in the legislative council and legislative assemblies.
The Congress leader said, ''The Indian Constitution was also inspired by Basavanna’s teaching, Dayave Dharmada Mulavayya,'' he said, ''Vachanas were composed not just to preach but more so to practise the lofty ideals of Basavanna.''
This marked Ahmed's first visit to Basavakalyana since assuming the chairmanship of the legislative council. He noted that he had visited the town many times before, but had made a deliberate choice this time to come first to Basavakalyana and walk the social reformer's path after taking office. He also inspected ongoing construction work at the Knowledge Park Public School at Anubhava Mantapa itself.
Former legislative council member Vijay Dharam Singh, who was also present, speaking to TNIE, said, "Our democracy would be richer if we as a society followed Basavanna's teachings more sincerely."