The legacy of the 10th Quran Pravachana Mela was clear: In an era of noise, Basavakalyan chose silence. In an era of division, it chose the shawl and the selfie
Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa
BIDAR — For ten consecutive years, the historic city of Basavakalyan in Karnataka’s Bidar district has played host to an event that defies the modern narrative of social fragmentation. What began as a three-day Quran Pravachana event (Dec 13-15), consistently held each December, has now matured and grown into a massive annual socio-cultural phenomenon known as the Quran Mela, organised by the Basavakalyan chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH).
Basavakalyan is no ordinary site for such a gathering. This is the land of Basavanna, the 12th-century social reformer who established the Anubhava Mantapa—the world’s first religious parliament of experience. A millennium later, the Quran Mela is being seen as a modern-day revival of that ancient tradition of open, pluralistic dialogue, creating a deep intellectual awakening in the region.
The success of the 10th anniversary was the result of a meticulously crafted grassroots campaign that turned the entire district into a theatre of anticipation. For an entire month leading up to the December chill, the message travelled where modern digital algorithms often fail to reach.
Auto-rickshaws, the lifelines of rural Karnataka, crisscrossed the city and over a hundred surrounding villages. Their loudspeakers carried the sampled vibrations of Mohammed Kunhi’s previous discourses, turning dusty village squares into impromptu classrooms. Massive hoardings and vibrant banners draped the landscape, ensuring that the invitation reached every farmer, labourer, and student. This saturation of the public space ensured that when the mela finally opened, it wasn’t just an audience that arrived—it was a community that had already been part of the conversation for weeks.
Mohammed Kunhi’s 3-Day Odyssey
At the centre of this movement is Mohammed Kunhi, a man who has achieved a rare “celebrity” status. Kunhi is a bridge-builder, a public intellectual who delivers his addresses in a chaste, sophisticated Kannada that strikes a profound chord with the local population.
Day One: The Foundation of Justice. Kunhi opened with “Justice and Equality,” arguing that global peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of fairness. He linked the Islamic concept of Adl (Justice) to daily life, from resource conservation to mental equilibrium.
Day Two: The Search for Peace. Addressing “Peace of Mind,” he cited World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics on the global anxiety epidemic. His solution was rooted in spiritual “anchoring”—a connection with the Creator providing a psychological shield against modern chaos.
Day Three: The Sanctity of Human Relations. On the final day, Kunhi reached his oratorical peak. He spoke on “Religion and Human Relations,” asserting that the highest form of faith is the honouring of humanity. He challenged the crowd to find the “divine in the neighbour,” arguing that a person’s faith is incomplete if their presence does not bring security and kindness to those around them, regardless of their creed.
A Symphony of Silence
The sheer scale of the attendance at the Sabha Bhavan Ther Ground was breathtaking. Tens of thousands of people packed the venue, spilling out into the adjacent streets. Yet, the most remarkable feature was not the size of the crowd, but its behaviour.
In an age of digital distraction, the “pin-drop silence” that descended during the Pravachans was almost supernatural. As Kunhi’s voice rose and fell, the mammoth gathering sat in a meditative trance. There were no interruptions, no restless movements—only the collective breath of a people hungry for a message of hope.
“I have been to political rallies where thousands scream, but I have never seen thousands stay this quiet,” remarked Shri Santosh Bapu, an attendee from Kalburagi. “It felt like the words were being written directly onto our hearts. In that silence, you could feel the barriers between us simply dissolving.”
Selfies and Shawls
The most striking visual occurs after the speeches. As the final prayer concludes, the “pin-drop silence” shatters into a joyous surge toward the stage.
The scene is reminiscent of a major cultural festival. Hundreds of well-wishers rush forward in a ritual of respect that has grown in intensity over the decade. This is the “Selfie and Shawl” culture of Basavakalyan. Young men hold up smartphones for a digital memento, while elders wrap Kunhi in traditional honorary shawls. This year, the outpouring reached its summit, proving that the message of universal love has found a permanent home in the hearts of the people.
The Quran Expo: A Blueprint for the Future
Simultaneous with the theological discussions was the Quran Expo, where the next generation took the mantle of leadership. Students from diverse schools across the district constructed elaborate, hand-crafted models that tackled the most pressing issues of modern life.
The exhibits were as varied as they were insightful. One section focused on Environmental Stewardship, illustrating the Quranic mandate of balance in nature. Another showcased the mechanics of an Interest-Free Economy, with children explaining how a society built on mutual cooperation rather than debt could alleviate poverty. Further down, models on social equality challenged age-old prejudices, presenting a vision of a society where dignity is a birthright for all.
The enthusiasm was infectious. These children explained complex ideas with remarkable fluency, switching effortlessly between Kannada, Urdu, and English.
“Seeing these children explain the rights of a neighbour in my mother tongue, Kannada, gave me goosebumps,” said a local school teacher, Shrimati Rajyogini. “This isn’t just an exhibition; it’s a blueprint for how we should live together.
A Sanctuary for the Mother Tongue
In a state where the struggle to preserve and promote the Kannada language in daily life is a deeply emotional and ongoing movement, the Quran Pravachana has been embraced as a significant cultural milestone. Kannada lovers and activists across the region have welcomed the event, noting that it brings a sacred, global text into the intimate rhythm of the local idiom. This linguistic bridge is fortified by the work of Shanti Prakashana, the publishing house that serves as the engine for this rebirth of local Islamic literature. Their stall at the Mela was more than just a bookstore; it was a hive of intellectual exchange, attracting hundreds of readers—many from non-Muslim backgrounds—who were eager to explore philosophy in their own tongue. By dedicating themselves to this cause, JIH Karnataka and Shanti Prakashana are stripping away the “foreignness” often associated with religious discourse. They are proving that when the Quran is spoken in Kannada, it does not just reach the ears; it finds a permanent home in the cultural heart of Karnataka.
Mufti Iftikhar Ahmed Qasmi, President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Karnataka, lauded JIH Karnataka for its leadership. He noted that delivering the Quran’s message in the Kannada tongue was not just a linguistic choice, but a profound act of social integration, stripping away the “foreignness” often associated with religious discourse.
A Convergence of Shared Labour
The logistical triumph of this tenth anniversary was no solitary feat; it was the fruit of a month-long marathon of dozens of planning meetings across the city. To execute a program of such magnitude flawlessly required a precision that only a united front could offer. In a moving testament to the “Real India,” Hindu brothers and Lingayat leaders stood shoulder-to-shoulder with organisers, immersing themselves in the minutiae of the event as if it were their own. This spirit of shared heritage was present from the very start; on the opening day, in a moment that captured the essence of the city’s inclusive soul, the Kannada translation of the recited Quranic verses was delivered by a Hindu. This shared labour was defined by a profound humility, and when a prominent Lingayat leader was asked why he was dedicating such immense effort to managing a Quranic discourse, his reply was spontaneous: “This is not a separate effort; it is the living continuity of Basavanna’s legacy.”
In this corner of the world, truth is not guarded as private property but celebrated as a shared heritage, proving that when the goal is the betterment of humanity, the entire community becomes the host.
A Mission of Humility
Behind the massive logistics—the feeding of thousands, the rigorous security, and the tireless month-long campaign—lies a profound sense of humility. For the leadership at JIH Basavakalyan, the success of this tenth milestone is not viewed as a moment of pride, but as one of deep gratitude and sobriety.
Hafiz Aslam Janab, President of JIH Basavakalyan, who steered the vast operations, reflected on the weight of the endeavour with a focus on communal healing. “In a climate where hatred is being manufactured and spread across our beautiful country, we feel a heavy responsibility,” he noted. “We do not claim credit for this. We thank Allah Almighty for giving us the courage to stand for peace and for making this message acceptable among such a diverse, plural society. Our only goal is to ensure that Basavakalyan remains a sanctuary for humanity, just as it was eight centuries ago.”
Convenor Zulfikar Ahmed Chabukswar attributed the triumph to the city’s collective spirit, stating that the success of this event belongs to the people of Basavakalyan, whose joint efforts and unwavering support made such a milestone possible.
As the crowds dispersed on the night of December 15, the legacy of the 10th Quran Pravachana Mela was clear. In an era of noise, Basavakalyan chose silence. In an era of division, it chose the shawl and the selfie. It is a story of a decade-long bridge, built one word, one village announcement, and one shared meal at a time. It is a reminder that when the message is anchored in justice and delivered in the language of the heart, the world still listens.
