A host of writers have resigned from State government committees and bodies in protest against the recent controversy over textbook revision, lack of action against the textbook review committee chairperson Rohith Chakrathirtha, who allegedly defamed Kuvempu.
Writers S.G. Siddaramaiah, who was president of Rashtrakavi Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa Pratishthana; H.S. Raghavendra Rao, Nataraja Budalu, and Chandrashekhar Nangli wrote to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai resigning from their posts on Monday. “The recent unconstitutional attack and oppression in education, cultural, and political spheres of the State has left us concerned. The government’s silence and lack of action on those who have been openly inciting communal hatred undermining the State and federal structure has left us anxious and scared,” the letter said, citing the reason for their resignation.
Senior writer and scholar Hampa Nagarajaiah also resigned as president of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishthana, citing lack of action against persons who have made defamatory statements against Kuvempu and the State anthem. “Since the government has not only not taken any action against people who have defamed Kuvempu and the anthem, but since they have been made members of the official committee, it sends a wrong signal to people,” he said in the letter to the Chief Minister. Prof. Siddaramaiah has also written to Minister for Primary and Secondary Education B.C. Nagesh and withdrawn permission for the inclusion of his poem “Manegelasada Hudugi” in class IX second language Kannada textbook.
