Govt bans book on Valmiki

The State government on Thursday banned a Kannada book for hurting the sentiments of the Valmiki community.

The book, Valmiki Yaaru, by K S Narayana Chari, former English professor from Karnatak University, was published in March this year by Sahitya Publishers from Hubli.

The issue was raised by V S Ugrappa, Congress MLC, who claimed that the book suggested Valmiki was a Brahmin by birth.

Further, Ugrappa was roiled by the fact that the book was critical of all politicians and termed them “posers” and “fake.”

Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree said an expert committee would look into the merits of the demand to ban the book. However, an agitated Ugrappa, who jumped into the Well of the House protesting against his own party government, sought its immediate ban. Making capital of the situation, JD(S) floor leader Basavaraj Horatti chided the government for not addressing the concern of its own party MLC.

Embarrassment

He said it was embarrassing to note that a ruling party MLC was protesting against his own government for its inaction.

Forced on the backfoot by the development, House Leader S R Patil said the government would immediately ban the book and initiate action under law to bring the author to justice.