Chennai: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai took part in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the statues of social reformer Basavanna and founder of Bengaluru Kempegowda on the premises of Vidhana Soudha on Friday.
After the ceremony, CM Bommai said, “Basavanna was the first to envision a people's parliament before the Magna Carta. His values have enriched lives of people of the state.”
“Similarly, Kempegowda who founded Bengaluru, he established model administration. New Karnataka to be built on values-based development,” the CM said.
Both the leaders will have statues 4 meters in height. Earlier, the government inaugurated a statue that was 108-foot-tall for Kempe Gowda.
The event was also attended by former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa and several other Lingayat members.
The Karnataka government-led by BJP carried out the move eyeing the votes of Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities.
On Saturday, the CM, BJP Ministers and others inspected the spot chosen for the installation of statues. They also verified the blueprints.
Earlier, the state also created two new categories to provide reservations for the two groups.
Basavanna is an Indian statesman, poet, social reformer and a Hindu Lingayat Shaivite member. He opposed discrimination on the basis of gender or social discrimination. He also rejected superstitious beliefs and rituals.
Meanwhile, Kempe Gowda is also known for the works he carried out during Vijayanagara Empire in 15th century for the development of Bangalore. Kempe Gowda has also built temples and water reservoirs in Bengaluru. He also prohibited the practice of amputating unmarried women's last two fingers of the left hand.