Mysuru: Kannada Development Authority (KDA) Chairman Prof S.G. Siddaramaiah visited the CFTRI here this morning on the directions of Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, following a memorandum from a few pro-Kannada organisations and present a report regarding the alleged anti-Kannada stand of CFTRI Director Prof. Ram Rajasekharan.

The meeting began in a tense atmosphere, with war of words between the pro-Kannada outfits and those in support of CFTRI Director. The members of the pro-Kannada outfits were vocal in claiming that there was a completely anti-Kannada atmosphere in the campus. To prove their point they said that three members of the Kannada Sahrudaya Balaga had been suspended some time ago and in spite of repeated requests to the Director, he had not taken any action to revoke the suspension.

They charged that in such a surcharged atmosphere the Kannadigas feel alienated in their own land, all because of the anti-Kannada stand taken by the Director.

Reacting to the charges made by the members of the pro-Kannada outfits, the KDA Chairman Prof. Siddaramaiah said that he had come prepared with all facts and figures and found justification in the allegations made by the outfits.

However, Prof. Rajasekharan said that there was no truth in such allegations as CFTRI is a national centre where people from different parts of the country are working in a harmonious atmosphere.

Former KDA Chairman Prof. Chandrashekar Patil (Champa) said that the feelings of the Kannadigas should be respected and all steps must be taken to improve the vitiated atmosphere in an institution of national repute.

Meanwhile,  CFTRI SC/ST Employees Welfare Association members told Prof. Siddaramaiah that the charges levelled against the CFTRI Director by the pro-Kannada outfits was baseless and the attacks personal as all class of people work in this scientific institution. They charged that it was a conspiracy against the Director as he was a Dalit.

Prof. Siddaramaiah asked the Director and his team to sort out the issue amicably and present him a report at his office in Bengaluru before July 20.

Litterateurs Prof. CPK, Prof. Kalegowda Nagawara, P. Mallesh, E.C. Ramachandra, journalist Rajashekar Koti, Kannada and Culture Assistant Director H. Chennappa and others were present at the meeting.