Veteran Kannada writer M.M. Kalburgi, who was known for his exemplary scholarship and stand against superstitions, was laid to rest with state honours on the Karnatak University, Dharwad, campus on Monday.
The scholar was shot dead by unidentified persons at his residence in Kalyan Nagar here on Sunday morning.
His son, Srivijaya, performed the final rites. Kalburgi’s wife Umadevi, daughters Poornima, Pratima and Roopadarshi, and other family members were present. Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree, Deputy Commissioner P. Rajendra Cholan, senior police officials, elected representatives, pontiffs of various maths and scores of other people attended the funeral.
Earlier, the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, the former Minister Govind M. Karjol, and senior writers paid homage to Kalburgi, whose mortal remains were kept at Karnatak College. A large number of people participated in the funeral procession from the college to the university campus.
Educational institutions declared a holiday and most business establishments downed shutters as a mark of respect to the scholar. Members of some organisations formed a human chain to protest against his killing. Pro-Kannada organisations held protests and raised slogans during the funeral procession.
Later, several writers and artists took out a protest rally from Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha office to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The protesters urged the government to nab the culprits within 11 days, failing which they threatened to begin an agitation. They also urged the State government to ensure the safety of persons propagating rationalist thoughts and fighting against superstitions.
Writers N. Jagadish Koppa and Siddanagouda Patil, seer Basavaraj Devaru, and Kannada Sahitya Parishat district president Lingaraj Angadi led the protest rally.
