There is absolutely no reason why
the highest honour of the land is not extended to Shivakumara Swamiji. Belonging
to lingayat tradition, part of rich legacy of bhakti movement, initiated by
saint Basava that strived for egalitarian society, stridently against caste and value system that degraded the society while working within Hinduism to remove these dehumanizing structures that squatters worked from sanctum control. Unfortunately, in recent times these have been co-opted by primitive nature
of society that seeks to appropriate egalitarian values into caste fold
through state institutions and power. As also these are now being beaten into
divisive political agenda, and become part of cunning political dealings that
reduced it to caste groups with uncouth haggling as leaders. Its despicable,
this society seems to be fine-tuned to reduce everything into worst possible
references and bleakest outcomes, very much orchestrated by devious people nurtured
by deep state. Meanwhile there is absolutely no reason why anti-caste movement
like Lingayats are not separate religion and given minority status so that
these subtle thoughts and ideas are protected from crude nature of society,
this has support of common people. These situations and demands becomes painfully
ridiculous when put in context to members of stupid game (read cricket) who
were honoured by state (disgracefully the market nominee in amalgam with deep
nature of state was seen promoting products despite the highest honour. In a crude
ecosystem you cannot expect finesse, at the most well calibrated humbleness. Such
is the greed and degraded nature of society that nurture these).
Swamiji, who passed away two days back at the age of 111, was a part of rich legacy
that constantly worked for betterment of humanity, these have been instrumental
in providing quality education and primary health care for millions of desperate people who were discriminated by society and state institutions -its carefully worked
out lopsided nature of development that failed to care for vulnerable, marginalised
and exploited. By honouring Shivkumara Swamiji the government is not only
honouring a remarkable individual but a tradition that traces its roots that
thrived from Buddha to Bhakti movement to Nanak despite primitive caste feudals
constantly intruding through clever semantics, state power and money.
Casteless economic criterion for affirmative action: Though it is
political move this blogger would like to congratulate the government for
taking steps towards much saner form of affirmative action. Unfortunately, the
primitive nature of society, controlled by entrenched power brokers, will make
it difficult. They thrive in degraded ecosystem, where manipulating and
controlling common people is easier while stampeding for representing their
angst, as also easy template for playing liberal. Further anti-caste measures need
to be taken that makes it difficult for casteist to work their devious ways. Meanwhile
the most marginalised and systemically exploited needs continuous attention and
support. Massive investment is needed in primary education and health at
grassroot level, unlike trickled down by mediocre caste feudals and their pious
interventions that was the norm for last many decades.
