Srirangapatna: Veteran Writer Dr. Marulasiddappa has said that those destroying the Constitutional aspirations are the real crooks.

Speaking after inaugurating the Srirangapatna Dasara Fest by showering petals on Goddess Chamundeshwari at Kirangur near here yesterday, the veteran writer said that Srirangapatna Dasara has its own history.

Stressing on the need for a united fight against all forces which are out to destroy the Constitution, he strongly condemned the killing of thinkers Prof. Kalaburgi, Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and Gauri Lankesh.

Pointing out that ideological differences should be dealt through logic and not by the gun, he observed that the time has come for launching a movement for ‘Freedom of Expressions.’ He prayed Goddess Chamundeshwari for bringing peace and prosperity to the State.

Earlier, a team of eight priests led by Dr. Bhanuprakash Sharma performed Nandi Kamba puja to mark the launch of Dasara festivities. Srirangapatna MLA Ramesh Babu Bandi Siddegowda, Mandya DC N. Manjushri, AC Yashoda, Tahsildar K. Krishna and others were present.