Writer forced out of state government event for dissent

BENGALURU: Veteran Kannada writer, researcher and historian M Chidananda Murthy was on Wednesday physically removed from a function attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here when he sought to make a point over a 10th century poet. The state government-organised event was to celebrate birth anniversary of Kannada poet Devara Dasimayya.

The 83-year old writer, along with former leg islator Pramila Nesargi and others, were forced out of the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat, as they objected to Devara Dasimayya being referred as Vachana poet.

Vachana is a form of rhythmic writing in Kannada that evolved in the 11th century. Protesting that wrong informa tion was being propagated, Murthy said Jedara Dasimayya is a Vachana poet and not Devara Dasimayya, and the latter was only a staunch devotee of lord Shiva.

Murthy said he objected to the government celebrating Devara Dasimayya's birth anniversary considering him as a `Vachanakara', when he was actually not so.

The writer was forcibly taken out from the venue by some persons in plain clothes, even as the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues present appeared oblivious to the happening.