Kannada writer K.S. Bhagavan stoked a fresh controversy on Monday by claiming that Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda and social reformer Basavanna were “murdered”.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Monday, Prof. Bhagavan said Swami Vivekananda was a great admirer of Buddha and had delivered speeches in his glory because of which he became “a victim of conspiracy”. He called for a research into the circumstances leading to Swami Vivekananda’s death.
He went on to claim that even Basavanna was murdered because of his struggle for a casteless society.
‘Mahisha Dasara’
Prof. Bhagavan also urged the authorities to celebrate ‘Mahisha Dasara’ festival in the glory of ruler Mahisha from whom Mysuru got its name.
“If Mahisha was a demon as propagated by some, how would Mysuru have got its name from him?” he questioned, while maintaining that Mahisha was a benevolent king, who had taken care of the welfare of his subjects. It was because of the gratitude towards their ruler that people called the region Mysuru after Mahisha, Prof. Bhagavan said.
He appealed to the people to bring pressure on Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Minister in charge of Mysuru district G.T. Deve Gowda, and other people’s representatives to celebrate Dasara festival in Mahisha’s honour.
