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Title: Regarding release of coins Rs. 5 and Rs. 100 denominations in the name of Jagajayathi Veshwara, a social reformer by the Prime Minister in Bangalore.
SHRI MANJUNATH KUNNUR (DHARWAD SOUTH): I am speaking about the coins of Rs.5 and Rs.100 denominations which were released in Bangalore by the hon. Prime Minister on June 13, this year on the occasion of Suvarna Karnataka. The coins were released in the name of social reformer, Jagajayathi Basa Veshwara who is the first Kannadiga ever in whose memory the coins have been issued for which I am grateful and thankful to our beloved hon. Prime Minister. But unfortunately, the life time of the saint of the 12th century is missing. This is nothing but the callous attitude of some Central bureaucrats towards the revolutionary Kannada social reformer, Kannada culture, Kannada history and Kannada literature. In fact, it is Basavanna who introduced the parliamentary system of governance in Basava Kalyan, Karnataka for the first time in the history of this great nation. His Vachana’s (poems) are like an ocean in the field of literature which can elevate the life of humanity. The saint innovated and introduced equal status for women in parliamentary democracy.
Now the coins are not available in the market as per the demand of the public. Therefore, I would request the hon. Minister to release the Basa Veshwara coins and the life-time of the saint should also be mentioned on the coin.