Kannada writer K.S. Bhagavan on Wednesday called for replacing Mahishasura’s demonic statue atop Chamundi Hills with one depicting him as a Buddhist monk.
At a press conference here in connection with Mahisha Dasara Habba scheduled for October 7, Mr. Bhagavan called for pulling down the statue of Mahishasura portraying him as a demon holding a sword in one hand and a snake in the other. In its place, a statue depicting the “great ruler” Mahishasura as a Buddhist monk should be constructed, he said.
He regretted that the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysuru had constructed the statue of Mahishasura as a demon under the influence of the priestly class.
Arguing that Mahishasura was a follower of the Buddha and he had been wrongly portrayed as a demon, Mr. Bhagavan said Mahishasura, according to historical accounts, was a benevolent ruler who stood for humanism and welfare of all sections of society. “If he were to be a demon, why would Mysuru be named after him?” he said. During the press conference organised by Mahisha Dasara Organising Committee, Urilinga Peddi Mutt seer Jnanaprakash Swami said a rally would be taken out from B.R. Ambedkar statue in front of Town Hall to the statue of Mahishasura atop Chamundi Hills on October 7. The former Minister Satish Jharkiholi would flag off the rally. A seminar on Mahishasura would then be held near the statue.
The former Mayor Purushottam and professor of journalism and communication Mahesh Chandra Guru were also present.
