The Former Prime Minister of India Shri H.D Devegowda paid tribute to Basaveshwara statue in London on 26th October 2018. He was accompanied by Member of Parliament Shri Kupendra Reddy.
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 and Chairman of the Basaveshwara foundation Dr Neeraj Patil welcomed the Prime Minister & Member of Parliament Shri Kupendra Reddy on behalf of the British Indian/Kannada community.
Members of the two important Kannada Diaspora organizations, Kannadigaru UK & Sandalwood UK, joined the Hon Prime Minister on this important occasion.
Basaveshwara 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, there is no place for discrimination in the modern world, said the Former Prime Minister.
The Hon Former Prime Minister expressed tribute to Basaveshwara for his contribution towards democracy and social justice in India. He said, I am extremely delighted to see the statue of an Indian philosopher in the backdrop of British Parliament overlooking the river Thames. This makes every Indian & Kannadiga proud.
The project was approved by the planning department of The London borough of Lambeth and subsequently by the British Cabinet minister for culture media and sports as per the Public Statues Act, 1854. The Basaveshwara statue and its vicinity is the intellectual property of the Basaveshwara Foundation.
The Basaveshwara statue erected at the Albert Embankment is not only the first statue to be unveiled by an Indian Prime Minister in the UK, but is also the first conceptual statue approved by the British Cabinet in the vicinity of the Parliament. This is located at Albert Embankment in London opposite the British Parliament.
The approval was given as a mark of respect to 12th century Indian Philosopher and social reformer Basaveshwara for promoting democratic ideals, social justice and gender equality during the 12th century. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Basaveshwara statue 14th November 2015 in London.
