Chandrashekar Patil, president of the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana being held in Mysuru, obliquely favoured the ruling Congress in his address on Friday. However, Manu Baligar, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP), asserted what Prof. Patil stated were his personal views and he had the right to express them without any hindrance.
“Prof. Patil’s opinion need not be construed as the Parishat’s stand,” Mr. Baligar maintained. “KSP is an apolitical representative body of Kannadigas.”
He said the parishat strongly believes in upholding freedom of expression and will not compromise on this value cherished over a century.
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“The sammelana is for all ‘isms’. The parishat strongly believes in Kuvempu’s words: ‘Sarva Janangada Shantiya Tota’ (Garden of peace for all communities).”
On the absence of Saraswathi Samman recipient S.L. Bhyrappa, who was president of the sahitya sammelana held at Kankapura in 1999, Mr. Baligar said, “I have great regard for Dr. Bhyrappa and I tried to invite him to the sammelana personally. I could not reach him over the phone. I spoke to his wife and appealed to her to request Dr. Bhyrappa to be with us. But I don’t know why he did not turn up for the event. But don’t attach a political motive to his absence.”