Bangalore: Caste has started acquiring such stunning powers that a raging controversy in Karnataka on the caste of the 12th-century social reformer, Basaveswara, is heading towards upsetting if not uprooting the Brahminical social pyramid.
Kannada papers are full of this controversy on Dr. Banjagere Jayaprakash’s latest Kannada book, Aaanu Deva Horaganavanu… (2007, Lakshmi Prakashana, Bangalore, pp.85, Rs. 60), which said Basavanna was not a Brahmin but an Untouchable Chamar (Madiga).
Karnataka’s ruling caste, Lingayats, took it as a great insult but the book gave a big boost to the surging Madiga movement. The ruling Lingayats comprise about 15% of the state population but are torn into different graded castes dominated by a handful of upper caste Lingayats. The controversy may even break this entire artificially built community. Lingayats say they are not Hindu, but today the whole lot of them are in the Brahmana Jati Party (BJP).
The author translated Editor V.T. Rajshekar’s book on “caste identity” into Kannada. In days to come, as the controversy gathers strength, it may develop into a powerful storm upsetting the caste equation of Karnataka, when the “low castes” within the Lingayat community start revolting against their upper caste oppressors.
