Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Raj Kumar Badole has paid tributes to the statue of 12th century Indian social reformer Basaveshwara in London.
Members of British Maharashtra and Kannada diaspora joined the occasion and paid tributes to the statue during the event organised by London-based Lambeth Basaveshwara Foundation yesterday.
"Basaveshwara fought for eradication of caste discrimination in the Indian society and attempted to create a casteless society 800 years ago, unfortunately India still remains divided along caste and religious lines and this must end," said Lambeth Neeraj Patil, Chairman of the Lambeth Basaveshwara Foundation.
Badole paid tribute to Basaveshwara and recalledhis contribution towards democracy and social justice.
"I am extremely delighted to see the statue of an Indianphilosopher in the backdrop of British Parliament overlooking the river Thames in the historic city of London," he said.
Basaveshwara statue is the first conceptual statueapproved by the UK government in the vicinity of British Parliament.
This was done as a mark of respect to 12thcentury Indian philosopher and social reformer Basaveshwara for promoting democratic ideals, social justice and gender equality during the 12thcentury.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had unveiled the statue on November 14, 2015.
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