'We Don't Give Floral Tribute To Those Who...': Rahul Gandhi In K'taka Honours Guru Basavanna On His Jayanti

Speaking at Basava Mantapa Centre, he said, "Today we are paying floral tribute to him (Guru Basavanna). But when he was alive, he would have been attacked. Some must have tried to scare him."

Rahul Gandhi offered prayers at Sangamanatha Temple and Aikya Linga in Kudalasangama, Bagalkot

Source : Twitter/@INCIndia

New Delhi: Taking part in the Basava Jayanti celebrations in Karnataka today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi acknowledged the risks that Basavanna would have faced during his lifetime, stating that "some must have tried to scare him."

 

Speaking at Basava Mantapa Centre in Bagalkote, he said, "Today we are paying floral tribute to him (Guru Basavanna). But when he was alive, he would have been attacked. Some must have tried to scare him."

 

He added, "But he didn't step back and leave the path of truth. This is why we paid floral tribute to him. We don't give floral tribute to those who don't raise questions, speak against the injustice of society, or get afraid."

 

He was accompanied by former Karnataka Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah.

#WATCH | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka LoP and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah attend the Basava Jayanti celebration at Basava Mantapa Centre, Bagalkote pic.twitter.com/1RHpqm4WTg

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2023

The Congress leader started his 2-day tour of Karnataka with visits to the Sangamanatha Temple and Aikya Linga in Kudalasangama, Bagalkot, where he offered prayers. 

"The teachings of Guru Basavanna ji will always inspire us to live for the welfare of all," the official handle of the Congress party tweeted.

Shri @RahulGandhi begins his Karnataka visit by offering prayers at Sangamanatha Temple and Aikya Linga in Kudalasangama, Bagalkot.

The teachings of Guru Basavanna ji will always inspire us to live for the welfare of all. #CongressBaralidePragatiTaralide pic.twitter.com/lUybZAX28V

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 23, 2023

During his visit he will attend a series of events including visits to temples, interactions with people, and addressing the public, the Congress party had said earlier on Saturday. 

After attending the Basava Jayanti celebration organised by the Utsava Samiti of Basava Mantapa, Gandhi will participate in ‘Jana Samparka’ (public contact) and address people in Vijayapura at Shivaji Circle. On Monday afternoon, the former Congress president will interact with sugarcane growers in Ramdurg in Belagavi. Further, he will travel to Gadag to take part in 'Yuva Samvaad' (interaction with youths). In the evening, he will hold a public meeting in Hangal in Haveri district.

Gandhi will return to Hubballi in the night and then fly to Delhi.

This will be Gandhi’s second visit to Karnataka within a week. He was in Kolar on April 16 to attend ‘Jai Bharat’ programme.

Karnataka will go to Assembly polls on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.