Lingayat leader Maate Mahadevi studied her own book for philosophy examination

BENGALURU: She had a prolonged renal illness and was on advanced life-support system. She required multiple-organ and life support, including ventilation, BP support and dialysis. Her condition was extremely critical and she was receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics for sepsis,” said Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, chairman, Manipal Hospitals .

Leaders cutting across party lines mourned her demise. “Maate Mahadevi worked relentlessly to unite the world for five decades,” said chief minister HD Kumaraswamy .

Former chief minister and state BJP president BS Yeddyurappa said that at a young age, she embraced the principles of Basavanna and followed them all through her life.

“Maate Mahadevi’s life journey was an inspiration to all. She struggled to uphold 12th century social reformer Basavanna’s philosophy,” said KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao .

The hospital saw a huge crowd on Thursday as news of her deteriorating condition spread. Jayashree B Shivapur, president, Rashtreeya Basava Dal, Haveri, who was at the hospital, said Maate instilled energy in her followers.

Manjunath Bandi, president, Rasthreeya Basava Dal, said she must have been the only student who read her own book as part of syllabus for an exam. “When she was pursuing MA in philosophy from Karnatak University, her book ‘Basava Tatva Darshana’ was prescribed as a text and she realised it only while studying for the exam,” he said.