Writers, activist announce support to Janagere Venkataramaiah for president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat

A meeting of writers and artists held on the premises of the Chowdeshwari temple at Sigandur in Sagara taluk on Sunday resolved to support activist and journalist Janagere Venkataramaiah for the post of president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishad.

Many members of the parishad, including those who have worked as office-bearers, took part in the meeting.

Addressing the gathering, Jayaprakash Gowda, president of the Karnataka Sangha in Mandya, said that the parishad should not be allowed to become a forum for some people to exhibit their authoritarian attitude, and that it should remain an organisation of activists committed to strengthening the Kannada language.

He stressed the need to support Mr. Venkataramaiah’s candidature in the coming elections.

The institution was set up by the Mysore rulers with the objective that it should serve as a bridge between the common people and those in power. However, in recent days it had come under the control of retired officials who had no respect for its basic objectives, he said.

Mr. Gowda stressed the need to return the institution to activists who had been part of the socio-linguistic movements of the land.

Mr. Venkataramaiah said he had visited several districts and interacted with members of the parishad. Those who had retired as senior officers in the bureaucracy were trying to get elected to the post by exhibiting their money power, he alleged.

Such people were keen on establishing dictatorial rule by amending the bylaws of the organisation to suit their wishes.

Sigandur temple trustee H. Ramappa, Shivamogga District Kannada Sahitya Parishad president D. Manjunath, and many writers took part in the meeting.