MoS V Somanna leads Basava Jayathi celebrations in Parliament complex

Karnataka’s ministers & MPs, led by MoS (Railways & Jal Shakti) V Somanna celebrated the 894th birth anniversary of 12th century social reformer Basavanna, on Wednesday, offering floral tributes to his bust at the Prerna Sthal in the Parliament complex in Delhi.

Several ministers including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Pralhad Joshi, and MoS (Labour & Employment) Shobha Karandlaje participated in the event.

Somanna expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for permitting conduct of the event in the Parliament premises.


They got this opportunity to celebrate the event 22 years after Basavanna’s statute was installed in the Parliament premises, Somanna said, while calling the Centre’s gesture its way of respecting Kannadigas.

Tumakuru, the constituency Somanna represents in the Lok Sabha, is home to Sri Siddaganga Mutt, an influential Lingayat mutt.

The social reformer strived hard to build a society that was above castes and classes and promoted the philosophy of work is worship, Somanna said, speaking on the occasion.

Karnataka observed a public holiday on Wednesday as a mark of respect to Basavanna.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi posted on X that, “On the auspicious occasion of Basava Jayanthi, we remember the profound wisdom of Jagadguru Basaveshwara. His vision for society and his tireless efforts to uplift the marginalised continue to guide us.”