Buddha, Basava, Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations at Narona on Sunday

The Karnataka State Dalit Sangarsh Samiti will celebrate the birth anniversaries of universal reformers the Buddha, Basaveshwara and B.R. Ambedkar at Narona village in Aland taluk of Kalaburagi district on Sunday.

State convener of the samiti D.G. Sagar addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Wednesday said that Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge will be the chief guest and Gurumahant Swami of Mahanteshwar Mutt will preside over the Jayanthotsava.

The celebrations will be held in the presence of Sri Nijagunananda Swami of Mundargi Tontadarya Mutt.

Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Vice-Chairman of Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission B.R. Patil will be the chief guests on the occasion.

Dr. Sagar said that for the last 30 years, the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti has been celebrating the birth anniversaries of the three universal reformers on one platform to extend their ideologies as they strived their entire life fighting caste discrimination and to sow the seeds of integrity and brotherhood in society.

He said that Gautama Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar are the three great revolutionaries who challenged social inequality and fought for human dignity in different historical periods.

Buddha opposed caste hierarchy and ritualism by teaching equality and compassion, while Basaveshwara rejected caste discrimination and promoted a society based on work, devotion and social justice through the Anubhava Mantapa movement. And, Dr. Ambedkar carried this struggle into modern India by fighting untouchability, demanding Constitutional rights, education and social democracy for oppressed communities.

Though they lived in different centuries, all three emphasised equality, questioned oppressive religious and social systems and worked toward creating a society based on justice, dignity and fraternity, Dr. Sagar said and added that Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar continue to inspire today’s generation with their ideals of equality, peace, education and social justice.

The event will be jointly organised by Buddha-Basava-Dr. Ambedkar Jayanthotsava Samiti, Narona Gram Panchayat and the Karnataka State Dalit Sangharsh Samiti.

A grand procession will commence at 3 p.m. on Sunday, bringing together devotees, community leaders and youth groups. Following the procession, a public stage rally will be held from 6 p.m.

Samiti leaders B.C. Wali, Suresh Hadimani, Umesh Narona, Jayanthotsava Samiti president Shivaputra Ragi and its honorary president Nagappa Kore were present.