Seek postponing Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana

Mysuru: Demanding a probe into alleged corruption and irregularities in Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, several writers and  members of various Kannada organisations have demanded postponement of Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.

Taking part at a meeting organised by the Kannada and Culture Department at the Department Office in Kalamandira here recently, the writers observed that it would not be appropriate to hold the literary meet unless a probe is ordered into the irregularities in Mysuru Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

Kannada and Culture Assistant Director H. Channappa informed at the  meeting about the circular sent by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat Central Committee on holding the Akhila Bharath Kannada Sahitya Sammelena.

Pointing out that the DC had held a preliminary meeting in this regard, Channappa said all littérateurs and Kannada organisations will be invited to take part in the next meeting, during which suggestions will be sought.

But the writers and Kannada activists, taking exception to Channappa’s statement, opposed holding the literary meet unless a probe is ordered into the corruption and irregularities charges against the Parishat office-bearers.

Clarifying that they were not opposed to the meet, they said that they were only demanding postponement of the meet to early next year, by which time the irregularities can be probed.

Writer Bannur K.Raju, quoting the  Kannada Sahitya Parishat by law, said that it was not appropriate to hold the meet within one year of the past meet.

Alleging that the office-bearers of Mysuru Kannada Sahitya Parishat were tainted, he also quoted an earlier media statement by the Chief Minister stating that the literary meet should be held only once in a year.

Further maintaining that the Mysuru District  Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, being a Government servant, cannot collect donations for the meet, Raju demanded Rajanna’s suspension for illegal  collection of funds.

Prof. P.V. Nanjaraj Urs said that a hurriedly organised literary meet will only benefit the corrupt.

Maintaining that they were not opposed to the meet, he took strong exception at the hurried manner in which the preparations have begun.

Senior writer D.N. Krishnamurthy alleged that almost all office-bearers of the District Kannada Shaitya Parishat were tainted and there was factionalism in the unit. Alleging that there were efforts to mislead the Chief Minister, he said that it was not appropriate to hold the meet under such circumstances.

Kannada activists Homma Manjunath, K.S. Narasimhamurthy, Balakrishna, Shantaraju, H.M. Ankaiah, Sougandhika Jois, S. Nagarathna, Radhakrishna, Bhoga Nandish, M. Ramamurthy, A. Sangappa, Bogadi Siddegowda, Murudeshmurthy and others were among those who attended the meeting.