Solapur varsity, airport to be renamed after Holkar, Basava

The state worked out the solution to appease the Dhangar and Veershaiv Lingayat communities.

The Maharashtra government has worked out an amicable solution between the Dhangar and Veershaiv Lingayat communities by renaming of Solapur University and airport. The state has acceded to the demand of the Dhangar (shepherd) community and will name Solapur university after Ahilyabai Holkar, who ruled Indore during the Maratha regime.

Tawde met representatives of both communities at Mantralaya and informed them about the decision. (Ht file photo)

On the other hand, the Solapur airport will be rechristened after Mahatma Basaveshwar, a 12-th century Lingayat philosopher. The decision coincided with the conclusion of the Karnataka elections, where Veershaiv Lingayats are a major electoral force. The previous government in Karnataka had granted minority status to the community.

“The Maharashtra government has decided to rename Solapur University as Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur Vidyapeeth,” said education minister Vinod Tawde. He said the renaming decision was taken on the recommendation of a sub-committee was set up by the state. The renaming function will be held on May 31, which is the birth anniversary of Ahilyadevi Holkar.

Tawde met representatives of both communities at Mantralaya and informed them about the decision. Tawde announced that a grand memorial of Mahatma Basaveshwar at Solapur will be erected in Solapur and to achieve this, a committee will be set up under the chairmanship of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He said the Mahatma Basaveshwar Finance Corporation will also be formed to provide financial assistance to the Veershaiv Lingayat community. The state will provide Rs10 crore annually to the corporation. In addition, the state has promised to introduce Basava’s teachings in college syllabi and will set up a Mahatma Basaveshwar Chair in various universities.