Demand to Set Up Basava Study Centre and Replace Akkamahadevi Statue

CH News

VIJAYAPURA

Regretting the lack of due recognition for 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara in his birthplace, the Basava Understanding and Research Centre has urged the Karnataka government to establish a Basava Study Centre at Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University in Vijayapura. The Centre also reiterated its demand for separate religious status for Lingayats.

Speaking to the media, Shahikant Pattan, President of the Centre, said that although Basavanna is celebrated globally, his contributions are overlooked in Vijayapura, where he was born. He thanked the Congress-led state government for declaring Basavanna the Cultural Leader of Karnataka, but said symbolic gestures are not enough.

“To truly honour Basavanna’s message of equality, the government must establish research centres and also preserve the birthplaces of Basavanna and his contemporaries as heritage sites,” Pattan said, adding that many saints of the Bhakti movement hailed from the region.

Pattan also strongly objected to the statue of Akkamahadevi currently installed at the entrance of the university. Calling it a historical distortion, he criticized the portrayal of Akkamahadevi as nude, arguing that such a narrative was falsely propagated in the 16th century to undermine her legacy.

“There is no authentic historical evidence suggesting Akkamahadevi walked naked. It is illogical and baseless. How could any woman live in society without clothing?” he questioned.

He demanded the replacement of the statue with one depicting her in a white saree, which would better reflect her contributions to spirituality and women’s empowerment.

BOX:

Shahikant Pattan stated that the current statue misrepresents Akkamahadevi’s legacy and conveys an inappropriate message. He emphasized that Basavanna's contributions deserve more than mere symbolic recognition, urging that his birthplace be developed into a centre for learning and cultural pride.