MANGALURU: The state government has cancelled the appointment of Rahim Uchil as the chairman of the Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy in Mangaluru.
The academy comes under the government of Karnataka. An April 5 notification said that his appointment had been cancelled with immediate effect. The notification did not mention the reason for removing him when he had six months to complete his tenure.
Uchil said he didn’t know why he was removed.
Uchil added that he had done nothing that could trouble the government or the ruling BJP.
"I got to know about this notification last evening and I am surprised that a reason has not been mentioned. I have not done anything to bring a bad name to the party or academy. I have been busy with academy work. I will not oppose the move of the government or the party. I have not acted against the community or religion. I don't agree with the allegation that I have been removed only because I am a Muslim. In fact, the government and the party can decide at any time. Hence, I have not opposed it, but I want to know the reason for my removal. If they had cited the reason, then it would have been helpful for me to introspect," he said.
On the recent halal meat controversy, Uchil had said that making non-Muslims eat halal meat would cause them to become "dharma bhrasta" and this was not acceptable.
Uchil took charge as chairman of the academy on October 16, 2019, for three years.
