Shivamogga officers discuss Vachanas and how they influence their administration

Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti stated that the philosophy of the 12th-century Vachanas has served as a daily guiding principle in his role as an officer.

Speaking at an interaction as part of the two-day Sharana Sahitya Sammelana in Shivamogga on Wednesday, Mr. Kavalikatti said that he studied Vachanas as a student of literature and he had been influenced by the movement led by Basavanna, the social reformer of the 12th century. “If we had followed the ideals of Basavanna and other Sharanas, the society would have been far better than it is today,” he remarked.

Referring to Basavanna’s teaching “work is worship”, the DC stressed that officers must deliver duties with complete impartiality, while ensuring rational and rule-based administration.

Recalling a personal incident, the DC said he once faced pressure from a section to take a decision that violated rules. He refused to yield and stood firmly by the law, and he was transferred from the post within a week. “I wish to state that a public servant is not anybody’s private servant,” he maintained.

Shivamogga Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil stated that Anubhava Mantap of the 12th century represented the true model of democracy, where people from different sections of society received due representation. He noted that the Vachana movement fostered the culture of discussion and its principles closely align the fundamentals of the Indian constitution.

Referring to an excerpt from a well-known Vachana of Basavanna, i.e., “Things standing shall fall, but the moving ever shall stay,” the SP said that the officer who remains at one place for too long tends to “fall”, while those who accept transfers and keep moving stay “firm”.

Shivamogga City Corporation commissioner Mayanna Gowda referring some of the Vachanas, opined that the ideas promoted by the Sharanas would serve as answer to current problems.

The officers responded to questions raised by the audience as well. Shuba Maravanthe, professor of Kannada, moderated the interaction.

Mallikarjun Murugharajendra Swamy of Murugha Mutt of Bikkinakalmatha in Shivamogga presided over the Sharana Sahitya Sammelana. Many writers, activists and intellectuals participated in the two-day event that concluded on Wednesday.