JOIN USA protest by historian M Chidananda Murthy and others at a function to commemorate the birth anniversary of 10th century Kannada poet Devara Dasimayya led to chaos for some time at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesd
ay.
The State government had organised an event at Banquet Hall to celebrate the birth anniversary of Devara Dasimayya, considered to be the first Vachana writer in Kannada. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presided over the event.
Soon after the function commenced, Murthy, advocate Pramila Nesargi and others staged a protest inside the Banquet Hall, stating that Devara Dasimayya was only a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, while the first vachana writer in Kannada was Jedara Dasimayya.
“It is not appropriate on the part of the government to observe the birth anniversary of Devara Dasimayya,” the protesters said.
This infuriated a few in the audience and they objected to the protest. Before the situation could go out of control, the police intervened and escorted the protesters out of the venue.
One of the protesters, writer H Vidyashankar, had to be forcibly evicted from the Banquet Hall.
Later, Minister of State for Kannada and Culture Umashree said the government had decided to hold the function to commemorate the birth anniversary of Devara Dasimayya on the request of the weavers’ community in the State.
Charge against Murthy
Karnataka State Weavers Federation President M D Lakshminarayana said Murthy and others had insulted the weavers community by holding the protest.Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa and Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy were present.