Karnataka Home Minister Pays Tribute to Basaveshwara Statue in London

London/Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara paid tribute to Basaveshwara statue and Dr BR Ambedkar house in London on March 12. The event was organized by The Basaveshwara Foundation, a non-profit organization based in UK that has erected the statue of Basaveshwara on the bank of river Thames.

Former Mayor of London borough of Lambeth Dr Neeraj Patil and President of Kannada organization Ramesh Babu welcomed the Minister on behalf of British Indian community. Members of Kannada Diaspora organizations, Kannadigaru UK, Sandalwood UK, Kannada Balaga joined the Home Minister on the occasion and paid tribute to Basaveshwara at his statue and Ambedkar House in London where he had lived while acquiring higher education in London during 1921-1922.

The Ambedekar house is located in the London borough of Camden and the address of this historic place is 10, King Henry’s Road, London NW3 3RP. The Home Minister distributed Kannada passing certificate’s to second-generation children of UK for completing the ‘Learn Kannada’ language initiative initiated by Kannada Development Authority, Government of Karnataka.

Basaveshwara and Dr B R Ambedkar both fought for eradication of caste discrimination and social justice in the Indian society and unfortunately India still remains divided along caste and religious lines and this must end, said Dr Patil.

Dr Parameshwar said, “I am extremely delighted to see the statue of an Indian philosopher in the backdrop of British Parliament overlooking the river Thames in the historic city of London and a Museum of Ambedkar in the heart of London. This makes every Indian proud.”

Basaveshwara statue in London is the first conceptual statue to be approved by British Government in the vicinity of British Parliament. This was done as a mark of respect to 12^th century Indian Philosopher and social reformer Basaveshwara for promoting democratic ideals, social justice and gender equality during the 12^th century.