ALTHOUGH the BJP lost the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2023, its aggressiveness has not stopped. The BJP continues to try to gain narrow political advantages over the Congress and is attempting to destabilise the elected government using central power. In addition, it is persistently engaged in cultivating communal hatred, especially through the RSS, which has intensified its ideological, cultural, and social activities in a very systematic manner.

Its latest attack involves the RSS Parivar embarking on a grand plan to subvert the great movement of the Kayakajeevi Sharanas, who led a revolution for welfare, equality against caste discrimination, gender inequality, and all forms of injustice in the 12th century. The Sharana movement, which opposed the Chaturvanya Vedic system, is now being used to assert the Lingayat religion as an extension of Vedicism. A book titled ‘Vachana Darshan’ was published in an attempt to spread this ideology throughout Karnataka. Since then, Sharana Basavanna followers and progressives have been responding with strong resistance. However, the Sangh Parivar has not ceased its attack. It is trying from all sides to overthrow the shining heritage of harmonious culture and pluralism in Kalyan Karnataka (Hyderabad Karnataka), while portraying the Hindutva ideology of caste hatred as Indian culture and establishing a monopoly on legitimacy.

To counter this, the important anti-communal platform ‘Souharda Karnataka’, which advocates for India’s pluralistic culture, organised a massive state-level movement in Kalyana Karnataka region at Kalaburgi from January 17 to 19, 2025.

Multiculturalism is the hallmark of India. Unity in diversity is India’s uniqueness. Harmonious popular culture is a distinctive feature of the lives of the people of India and Karnataka. On the contrary, casteist and communal forces are implementing various schemes, luring people across the state, especially the Lingayat community of Kalyan Karnataka, students, teachers, politicians, businessmen, and entrepreneurs. They are organising programmes to deceive people.

In this regard, as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, in the name of the golden jubilee of the Kottala Basaveshwara Bharatiya Shikshan Samithi of Sedam, and in collaboration with Vikas Academy and Bharath Vikas Sangams, a grand programme called ‘Bharatiya Sanskrithi Utsav’ was organised for nine days, from January 29 to February 6, 2025, over an area of about 240 acres in Sedam taluk of Kalaburgi district. The plan was to attract people from all sections. These grand programmes were planned under the guidance of Govindacharya, the ideologue of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and BJP leader, in collaboration with Basavaraj Patil Sedam, the head of educational institutions.

Against this background, in opposition to attempts to trample on native cultures and present Vedic religion as Indian culture, ‘Pluralistic Culture Bharatatsava’ was organised by ‘Souharda Karnataka’, a coalition of more than fifty different people’s organisations and thinkers from January 17 to 19, 2025, in Kalaburgi city.

More than 4,000  people from many districts of the state voluntarily participated in the public meeting programme, which was held in defiance of the attempts to equate the Vachana movement with Vedic principles, which form the foundation of injustice and inequality.

Conventions were held in November, December as a preliminary preparation for this. Three-day programmes were planned. Harmony Awareness Jathas were held in all the taluks of Kalaburgi and Bidar districts, and meetings were organised in various districts. During the short period, a book ‘Vachana Nija Darshana’ exposing the Sangh version on Sharana movement, and defending the 12th century revolutionary movement , lakhs of pamphlets and statements were circulated through social media to appeal for the preservation of pluralistic culture. Hundreds of writers and social activists issued statements in support.

A Souhardha Sanskrithi Vahana Jatha was held on January 17, 2025. This procession was inaugurated by Matoshree Dakshayini Sharanabasappa Appa from Sri Sharan Basaveshwara Mahasamsthan, Kalaburgi. Prof. Sabiha Bhumigowda, retired vice chancellor of Akkamahadevi Women’s University, participated as the chief guest. The jatha started from Sri Sharan Basaveshwara Temple in vehicles, mainly two-wheelers, and passed through St. Mary's Church, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Basavanna Circle, finally reaching Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah a unique place for communal harmony, where they assembled.

On January 18, 2025, a day-long concert of Tatvapada, Vachana, Qawwali, and harmony songs was held at the Panditha Ranga Madhira in Kalaburagi Nagar in collaboration with Santha kavi Kanakadasa and the Tatvapada Adhyaya Kendra.

On January 19, 2025, people gathered at Kannada Bhavana in the morning and took out a huge procession. White flags, a symbol of peace and harmony, flew along the procession. Slogans such as "We will save the aspirations of the Vachana movement," "We will save the aspirations of the Indian Constitution," and "May the unity and harmony of the country last forever" were chanted throughout. A large number of women, men, and young people joined the procession with enthusiasm. After the procession reached Jagath Circle, an open meeting was held.

The open meeting began with the singing of Megha Tadkal's Vachana and the revolutionary songs of the Dalit Kala Balaga.

Prof. RK Hudagi gave the introductory remarks, highlighting that for the past ten to twelve years, an atmosphere of fear has been increasingly created in the country. The same people who carried out the massacre of Sharanas in the 12th century are now giving sticks and tridents to our children. He urged people to protect the unity of the people.

Sanehalli Panditharaadhya Shivacharya Swamiji expressed concern about the state of the nation, where those who wish to change the Indian Constitution have come to power. Other notable speakers included Mathoshri Dakshayani Amma, Sharane Ganga, Basava Pattadadeevaru of Bhalki Mutt, Basava Prabhu Swamy, Swamijis of many Mutts, and writers and thinkers like Prof. Rahmath Tarikere, Prof. SG Siddharamaiah, senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu, and many others.

The appeal to religious and social leaders to stay away from the Bharatiya Utsava of the Sangh Parivar received a remarkable response. The Sangh Parivar's Bharatiya Sanskrithi  Utsava had focused on the Lingayat community and many Lingayat Swamijis were invited to participate. As awareness about the hidden agenda of the event spread, several political leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister Priyank Kharge, withdrew from the event. The government had to retract an order that involved students of schools, colleges and volunteers from the Bharath Scouts and Guides. Several Lingayat Swamijis also stayed away from participating.

Despite lavish preparations costing hundreds of crores, the turnout for the Bharatiya Sanskrithi  Utsava from January 29 to February 6, 2025, was significantly low. Although 70,000 chairs were set up on the first day, only 20,000 people attended. The numbers dwindled in the following days, with no more than 5,000 to 2,000 participants. Media reports mentioned that many chairs remained empty. This response was a strong expression of resistance from the people against the Sangh Parivar's ambitions and aims as they had once gathered lakhs of people in past events.