The Karnataka government issued a notification to rename Vijayapura to honour Basaveshwara's enduring commitment to equality, social justice.
The Karnataka government issues notification over renaming Vijayapura district as Basaveshwara or Basava district. (South First)
Amidst the challenges posed by drought and stalled development initiatives, the Congress government in Karnataka is now embroiled in a new controversy, thanks to its endeavour to rename the Vijayapura district once again.
Having previously rechristened it from Bijapur in 2014, the government is now contemplating a new identity — this time after the 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara or Basava.
Born in the Basavana Bagewadi taluk of the district, Basaveshwara has a legacy of advocating for equality and social justice, which is being cited as the inspiration behind this proposed change.
These developments occurred against the backdrop of Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar hinting at a possible merger of the 14-year-old Ramanagara district with the Bengaluru Rural district.
This has attracted severe criticism from the Opposition in general and JD(S) state president and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy in particular.
Meanwhile, Sports and Youth Empowerment Minister B Nagendra, who is the Ballari district in-charge, has also hinted at merging the Vijayanagara district with Ballari — subject to the people’s opinion.
However, the move has sparked dissent, with leaders from various quarters — including the Congress and the Dalit community — expressing reservations.
Critics argue that the government’s focus should be on addressing the pressing issues of mitigating the effects of the ongoing drought and advancing development rather than engaging in another round of district-renaming.
A total of 216 out of the 236 talukas in Karnataka have been severely hit by floods. The government has already officially declared these talukas as drought-hit. The government has estimated ₹33,770 crore as revenue loss this monsoon.
However, the government has not yet started any kind of relief work, whereas the farmers continue to fight for a proper power supply.
In a recent development, the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government, having renamed Bijapur to Vijayapura in 2014, is contemplating yet another name change for the district.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) T Bhoobalan confirmed to reporters the government’s issuance of a notification outlining the intention to rename the district in honour of Basaveshwara’s enduring commitment to equality and social justice.
“The suggested names for the district include ‘Basaveshwara district’ or ‘Basava district’. Seeking a broader perspective, the government has solicited opinions from elected representatives, notable figures, NGOs, and the general public, urging them to share their views within a stipulated 15-day period,” Bhoobalan told reporters.
He also pointed out that the government issued a notification on the matter against the backdrop of several proposals from various local organisations demanding the renaming of Vijayapura to Basaveshwara or Basava.
Meanwhile, responding to these developments, Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil, who is also the Vijayapura district in-charge, told reporters that the final decision would be taken after consulting the chief minister.
Several historians, experts, Dalits, and various organisations came down heavily on the government for proposing to rename Vijayapura as Basaveshwara of Basava.
Taking a strong objection to the government’s proposal, noted historian Krishna Kolhar Kulkarni told South First: “With due respect to the 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara, I strongly object and oppose the government’s proposal to rename the historically significant district.”
He explained: “It is a wrong move. There is no need to rename the district. Since Bijapur has its own history, it will affect tourism at a global level. They made a grave mistake when they previously rechristened Bijapur to Vijayapura. This has affected 20-30 percent of tourism in the region. If the government is planning to kill the tourism sector entirely, then let it go ahead with the renaming of the district.”
He also said: “This is not the way to show respect to 12th-century reformers. Instead, the government should make efforts to publicise his teachings and works at a global level. The renaming of the district will not change the history.”
He further explained: “The name Bijapur was given by neither Muslims nor Britishers. The history of Bijapur dates back to Kalyani Chalukya. The region was first known as Bijjarahalli village, where it was a small agrahara. After the village was expanded, it was known as Bijjapura. Thereafter, it is because of colloquial language that it became Bijapur.”
On whether he would write to the district administration opposing this proposal, he said: “It is a nonsense subject. I won’t write on this matter to anyone. This renaming won’t benefit anyone. It is appropriate if the government stresses more on development works instead of these nonsense works.”
He also noted: “Mysore State was renamed as Karnataka in 1973. If it is so keen, then let the government name Karnataka as Basava Nadu or Basaveshwara. There are so many burning issues in the state. Instead of addressing them, the government is functioning on these insignificant matters,” fumed Kulkarni.
In yet another development related to the unification of districts, Youth Empowerment, Sports, and ST Welfare Minister B Nagendra talked on Thursday, 26 October, about the apparent unification of Ballari and Vijayanagara.
After the political drama by former BJP minister Anand Singh, Vijayanagara was officially carved out of Ballari in October 2021. It became the 31st district of Karnataka.
However, this was opposed by several BJP leaders, including senior ST leader and former deputy chief minister B Sriramulu.
Welcoming Shivakumar’s statement over the merging of Ramanagara with Bengaluru, Nagendra, who is the Ballari district in-charge, told reporters in Ballari: “The main aim of merging Ramangara with Bengaluru is that it will pave the way for economic and development activities.”
He added: “Likewise, if the Vijayanagar district is merged with Ballari, I will welcome it. If people and farmers of the Vijayanagar district agree to rejoin Ballari, we have no qualms. We are ready to make it a united district, like earlier. However, time will have all the answers on the matter.”
He also expressed disappointment over losing Unesco World Heritage Site Hampi and the Tungabhadra reservoir to Vijayanagar.
“These two were like the crown and heart of a united Ballari. But now, Ballari has lost its heart due to the bifurcation,” said Nagendra.
His unification call has elicited mixed responses from the netizens, with several people welcoming it and many opposing his remarks.
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