The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Panel to rule on author’s request

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Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Panel to rule on author’s request

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The B.K. Somashekhara Commission of Inquiry on church attacks in Karnataka saw an animated debate on Tuesday on the demand of Paravastu Surayanarayana Rao, author of the controversial book “Satyadarshini”, that he be heard in Hyderabad or any other place in Andhra Pradesh rather than in Karnataka.

While there were arguments for and against this demand, one of the advocates said that attaching “unnecessary importance” to the book and its role in the attacks amounted to deviating from the main point of the inquiry.

Advocates for the author, whose book is alleged to contain blasphemous material on Hindu gods, argued that his safety was not assured in Karnataka and his health condition did not permit travel. Justice Somashekhara sought to know if there were alternatives given the practical problems involved in the entire commission moving for a hearing to Andhra Pradesh. Providing security to the commission in the neighbouring State and meeting the cost that runs up to Rs. 1 lakh for each sitting were issues to be considered, he said.

Government advocate L.N. Hegde said that Mr. Rao was contradicting himself by refusing to come to Bangalore, while asking for a sitting “anywhere in Andhra” which would also involve travel. Advocate for Hindu memorialists Madhusudan Adiga said that plea on health grounds was “unsubstantiated” and the demand, if conceded, would “set a bad precedent”. He said that the presence of Mr. Rao was required because he needed to be interrogated on interpretation of verses in the text.

Advocate M.P. Naronha said that undue focus should not be placed on the book “Satyadarshini” and its role in the attacks, but should stay focussed on the attacks, which were the main point of the inquiry. “Interrogatives may be given to the author and he can be asked to give a written reply.” He also pointed out that it was well within the purview of the commission to hold sittings outside the State if necessary.

Justice Somashekhara said he would pass an order after two days.

Bajrang Dal leader Mahendra Kumar, who was to appear before the commission on Tuesday, did not come because he was attending a court in Koppa in connection with a criminal case.

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