Kempegowda Jayanthi 2017: Kempegowda was a secular man, says D K Shivakumar

D.K. SHIVAKUMAR, ENERGY MINISTER, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF KEMPEGOWDA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY who was instrumental in getting the government to declare Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Jayanthi

According to Mr. Shivakumar, it necessary to recall the contributions of Bengaluru founder, Kempegowda, without which Bengaluru may never have gone on to attain the global reputation it enjoys today. Across the world, people identify India through Bengaluru. Kempegowda built the city in a planned way; he erected four towers in the city, making demarcations based on trade —  all these are now famous trading centers in Bengaluru. It is important to bring awareness among the public about the contributions of Kempegowda to Bengaluru.  Before evolution of urban development concept, Kempegowda has built the city.

The government has decided to take up initiatives to recall the contribution of Kempegowda. The Chief Minister, on his part, has sanctioned enough funds for the occasion. As a short-term plan, the government will celebrate Kempegowda Jayanti every year, both at district and taluk levels. As part of its longterm initiative, Kempegowda Development Authority will take up developmental works, including collecting documents and research on the contributions of Kempegowda.

Authorities will also establish Kempegowda study Centre to conduct research activities and also encourage students to do their research on Kempegowda. Documents related to the contributions of the city’s founder will be collected and preserved for next generation. To construct the memorial and research centre, the state government has decided to allot five acres of land at Central Relief Centre at Magadi  road to Development Authority. After consulting with Social Welfare department, the said land will be handed over to the Authority.

There is no hidden agenda for celebrating Kempegowda Jayanti. Moreover, the perception that Kempegowda day is Vokkaliga is wrong - he did not build the city for just a single community. He was a visionary. There is no appeasement politics to please one particular community by organizing Kempegowda Jayanti. In fact government has decided against organising a massive rally at Palace Grounds, opting for a simpler programme instead.

Kempegowda was a secular man, he accommodated people of differnt cultures and religions to set up their lives in Bengaluru, making the necessary arrangements to ensure their stay here is peaceful. This is why the government will not restrict him to one particular community. The government has also decided not to declare a holiday to mark the Jayanthi. The celebrations are a mark of respect to a person who founded the city,s o that future generations don’t forget his contributions either.

A cultural event has been organised on June 27, with four teams spread out across the four towers set up by Kempegowda. They will arrive at Vidhana Soudha in a procession. The four towers are located at Lal Bagh, Halasuru, Bellary Road and Kempambudhi Lake in  Basavan agadi. Kempegowda’s tomb (Samadhi), which was recently recently found in Kempapura village in Magadi, will also be preserved. After taking local people into their confidence, the government will develop Kempegowda Samadhi.