The Congress-led government in Karnataka, which initially enjoyed the support of many writers and artistes, is now facing flak for what is being seen as “delaying tactics” on culture-related issues.
A glaring instance is the recent decision to refer the much-delayed Cultural Policy to a subcommittee. This, coupled with the government’s inability to take firm decisions on other issues — including standardisation of Naada Geethe (State anthem) and nomination of Rashtrakavi — have left writers and artistes in Karnataka unhappy.
The decision to refer the Cultural Policy to a Cabinet subcommittee to study its implications has come nearly two years after it was drafted by the six-member committee headed by Baragur Ramachandrappa. Interestingly, the policy, first proposed back in 1996, was postponed many times, but was given a push after the present dispensation came to power. The committee had submitted its 68-page report comprising of 44 recommendations in June 2014. The policy was kept in cold storage for almost 23 months, before referring it to the Cabinet subcommittee.
Referred to subcommittee
“Strangely, this has been referred to the subcommittee after it was cleared even by the Finance Department,” said Mr. Ramachandrappa. According to official sources, Minister of State for Kannada and Culture Umashree was not in favour of implementation of the policy in its present form as she was apprehensive of decentralisation of power it envisages.
Similar is the fate of Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujaate , adapted as Naada Geethe by the government 12 years ago. Even after two years of an expert committee submitting its report on standardisation of Naada Geethe, the government has neither accepted nor rejected it. According to sources, it is caught between two powerful lobbies that are batting for and against the issue.
An expert committee, headed by poet Channaveera Kanavi, constituted to standardise Naada Geethe submitted its report on May 15, 2014, trimming the four-minute anthem to 90 seconds. But the government is yet to act on the panel’s report. “The government has no concern to protect the honour of the Naada Geethe and has kept the issue on the backburner,” regretted Y.K. Muddukrishna, singer and member of the expert committee. According to sources in the Department of Kannada and Culture, the file on the Naada Geethe is lying with the Law Department.
No Rashtrakavi yet
The decision on naming a Rashtrakavi too is in limbo. The search committee, headed by Ko. Channabasappa, suggested abolition of the title itself since it has no space in a democratic State, and is against the spirit of the Constitution. The ball is now in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s court, with him being authorised to take final call on the issue. “It is not right to delay decisions pertaining to culture issues. The government has to issue-specific directions to clear the files related to these issues on priority,” observed Banjagere Jayaprakash, Chairperson, Kannada Book Authority. When contacted, Ms. Umashree refuted the allegation that the government was apathetic towards issues pertaining to culture.
