Will Basavanna’s statue find its spot before Basava Jayanti?

Hubballi: The statue of 12th century social reformer Basavanna was removed from Basava Vana on Jan 30, 2023, to facilitate construction work of a flyover. It is now said to be housed at Indira Glass House. While some Lingayat organisations have urged the HDMC to install it at an alternative place, some are opposing the idea. Since 20 days are left for Basava Jayanti, a question has been raised whether the statue will be installed this year at least.MV Gongadashetti, president, Dharwad District Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha, told TOI that still there is no clarity over the venue of Basava Jayanti to be held on April 20. "It was decided that the statue should be reinstalled at the original place in Basava Vana during a meeting held in 2023. Since flyover construction is still going on, we have to decide about the venue for this year in our next meeting to be held soon," he added.However, members of Chintana Vedike have written a mail to the chief minister and the district administration, urging them to install the Basavanna statue before the upcoming Basava Jayanti. "The statue placed at Indira Glass House is left unattended. It can be installed either at Nehru Stadium or HDMC garden," they suggested.SV Patil, Channabasava Sagar Samrakshana Horata Samiti, Unkal, pressed that it should be reinstalled at the original venue in Basava Vana. "When we protested the shifting of the statue overnight on Jan 30, 2023, elected representatives Pralhad Joshi, Jagadish Shettar, and Basavaraj Horatti assured us of constructing parking, a library, and a bigger statue at the same place, after completion of the flyover. We were not ready to give it up. We have also demanded to install an Ashoka sthambha at the venue, like it was there earlier. We will celebrate Basava Jayanti this at Basava Vana with a portrait of Basavanna," he added.Mayor Jyothi Patil was unavailable for comment.