Jain Community Advocates for Dedicated Study Centre at Central University of Karnataka
Members of the Jain community in Kalaburagi have formally submitted a request letter to establish a Jain study centre at the Central University of Karnataka, located in Kadaganchi village near Kalaburagi. The proposed centre would be named in honour of Swastishri Charukeethi Bhattarak Mahaswamiji of Sravanabelagola, reflecting the community's deep-rooted cultural and historical significance in the region.
Chancellor's Assurance and Ongoing Efforts
In response to this appeal, Prof Battu Satyanarayana, the chancellor of the Central University of Karnataka, has assured the Jain community that necessary action will be taken. He confirmed that the matter will be brought to the attention of the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, to facilitate the establishment of the study centre. Prof Satyanarayana emphasised that the university has been in constant contact and correspondence with the Union Education Minister for the last two to three years, actively working towards this goal.
Historical and Cultural Justification for the Centre
The chancellor explained to the delegation that the necessity of setting up a Jain Study Centre at the university is well-established, given the region's rich Jain heritage. The Kalyana Karnataka region, including Kalaburagi, is home to ancient basadis (Jain temples), stone inscriptions, and the historical capital of the Rashtrakutas, Manyakheta, all located within the same province. This cultural backdrop underscores the importance of creating a dedicated academic space to study and preserve Jain traditions and history.
Community Delegation and Formal Requests
The request was presented by a delegation from the Kalaburagi District Jain Youth Forum, who met with the chancellor to advocate for the study centre. Dharanendra Sangami, secretary of the forum, revealed that a formal request letter has already been submitted to key officials, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former Union minister Bhagwant Khooba, and the chancellor of the Central University of Karnataka. This demonstrates the community's organised and persistent efforts to see this initiative through.
Broad Support and Urgent Appeal
Forum president Suresh Thanga, treasurer Chetana Pandit, and many other members joined in urging the chancellor to expedite the establishment of the study bench. Their collective appeal highlights the widespread support within the Jain community for this educational endeavour, which aims to foster academic research and cultural preservation in alignment with the university's mission.
