Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah hails Lingayat philosopher Basavanna as 'flag bearer of equality'

On the occasion of Basava Jayanti, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hailed the 12th-century Lingayat philosopher as a 'flag bearer of equality'.

"Basava was a philosopher for whom social justice was very important. He was the flag bearer of equality, and brought about a revolution in society," he said.

On Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shobha Karandlaje had reportedly said that Siddaramaiah should not be allowed to garland the statue of Basaveshwara on the occasion of his annual Jayanti.

Karandlaje had further claimed that Siddaramaiah has no moral right to celebrate the birth anniversary of Basaveshwara.

Retaliating to this, Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy slammed Karandlaje saying she was not authorised to make such remarks as Basaveshwara is not her 'property'.

"Who is she? Who is she to tell us? Basaveshwara (12th-century Lingayat philosopher) is not the property of Shobha Karandlaje," Reddy said.

Meanwhile, BJP Chief Amit Shah paid his tribute to Basaveshwara by garlanding his statue earlier on Wednesday.