Latest news with #KannadaSahityaParishat
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Writers call for appointment of administrator to Kannada Sahitya Parishat
Prominent Kannada writer S.G. Siddaramaiah demanded that the State government immediately appoint an administrator to the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP), citing financial irregularities and an authoritarian style of functioning by its president, Mahesh Joshi. Addressing a press conference organised by the Kannada Naadu Nudi Jagruti Samiti at the Patrika Bhavan in Ballari on Friday, Mr. Siddaramaiah expressed deep concern for the Kannada literary institution under Mr. Joshi. 'Since Mr. Joshi assumed office, the autonomous character of the parishat has been undermined. Instead of promoting a healthy cultural atmosphere, he has created a climate of hostility, mismanagement, and repression,' he said. He accused the president of failing to maintain transparency by not disclosing financial statements related to the Kannada Sahitya Sammelans held in Haveri and Mandya that were funded by taxpayers' money. 'Mr. Joshi has taken a unilateral and arbitrary approach and even attempted to alter the Parishat's bylaws. Literary conventions should serve as platforms for art, literature and culture not for political propaganda,' Siddaramaiah said. Welcoming the upcoming 88th Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Ballari, he urged that the event must avoid unnecessary expenditure. 'There are clear signs of financial mismanagement under Mr. Joshi's leadership. The government should intervene, appoint an administrator, and conduct a thorough audit. If irregularities are confirmed, he must be removed from the post; if not, appropriate measures may be taken to continue his tenure,' he said. Jayaprakash Gowda, president of the Karnataka Sangha, Mandya, clarified that the protest was not against the parishat but against the individual at its helm. He alleged that 20 amendments to the parishat's proposed bylaw revisions were designed to centralise authority, marginalising district and taluk bodies to consolidate control. 'As sum of ₹30 crore was granted by the government for the Mandya Sahitya Sammelan, of which Kannada Sahitya Parishat received ₹2.5 crore for which Joshi has yet to provide a proper account. The 2023–24 annual report and auditor's findings already highlight irregularities in membership records, development works, and building renovations,' he noted. 'In the 108-year history of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, no one has ever claimed daily travel allowances for their literary service. However, Mr. Joshi has claimed a total annual expenditure of ₹22 lakh under travel and related allowances. Recent literary conventions in the State have become increasingly extravagant, reduced merely to food, snacks, and festivity. By conducting these events in an arbitrary and self-serving manner, Mr. Joshi is displaying an authoritarian approach, and the protest against him will now be intensified,' he added. Writer Vasundhara Bhoopathi condemned Mr. Joshi's alleged harassment of office staff and pointed out the unprecedented postponement of the annual general body meeting scheduled in Sandur. Meera Shivalingayya, convenor of the Mandya Sahitya Sammelan, expressed deep disappointment over Mr. Joshi's conduct at the event and declared that statewide protests would continue against his authoritarian tendencies. Sunanda Jayaram of the Women Farmers' Association and Janagere Venkataramaiah also spoke at the press meet. S_G_Siddaramaiah_(1) S_G_Siddaramaiah_(2)
Hans India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Over 25,000 sign petition against compulsory Hindi in curriculum
Bengaluru: The campaign for a two-language policy in Karnataka's school curriculum gained renewed momentum as members of the Namma Naadu Namma Aalvike team addressed a press conference in Bengaluru on Friday. The group, comprising writers, filmmakers, and language activists, has been advocating for the exclusion of compulsory Hindi as a third language in schools for the past seven months. Speaking at the event, noted lyricist and director Kaviraj, a key member of the movement, detailed the various awareness initiatives undertaken since the campaign's launch in 2024. These include a bike rally in Bengaluru on November 1, the distribution of over 1 lakh pamphlets at the Mandya Sahitya Sammelana, and language awareness programs titled 'Eradu Nudi - Jaagruthiya Kidi' held at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat. Kaviraj also shared that the team had submitted a memorandum to Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa and the Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority, who later forwarded it with recommendations to the Chief Minister's office. Citing academic data, the group highlighted that in the 2023–24 academic year, over 90,000 tenth-grade students failed Hindi as a third language — a figure they say reflects the growing burden placed on Karnataka's students. 'No one hates Hindi,' said filmmaker B. M. Giriraj. 'But the third language has become an unnecessary burden on children. It is a subtle move of Hindi imperialism.' Echoing this sentiment, activist Sajith Gowda stated, 'Compulsory Hindi in the land of Kannada is nothing short of a cultural assault.' Kannada advocate Arun Javagal added, 'The inclusion of Hindi as a third language is part of an imposition agenda. We must resist this push.' Activist and writer Shruthi Marulappa drew comparisons to other states, stating that Tamil Nadu has made significant progress without accepting Hindi. 'Even in Maharashtra, the Chief Minister has promoted English and Marathi — but in Karnataka, the third language burden continues,' she said. Ramesh Bellamkonda revealed that an online petition supporting the demand for a two-language policy has already garnered over 25,000 signatures. 'We are not opposed to voluntary learning of Hindi,' he clarified. 'But making it compulsory is unfair and unnecessary. This is not a request anymore — it's a demand.' The group has called on the Karnataka government to act swiftly and uphold the interests of students by implementing a two-language policy that reflects the state's linguistic identity.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Thug Life petition abuse of law process: Kannada Sahitya Parishat
Bengaluru: Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP), the apex body pertaining to Kannada literature, Friday claimed the petition filed by Raajkamal Films International Chennai, producers of Kamal Haasan-starrer Thug Life, is an abuse of the process of law. The KSP, through its president Mahesh Joshi, has sought impleadment, opposing Raajkamal Films International's petition. Appearing for KSP, senior advocate S Basavaraj slammed Kamal's controversial remark that Kannada language originated from Tamil. Basavaraj said he has high regard for Kamal as an actor and even gave the example of his silent movie, Pushpaka Vimaana, which won accolades. According to Basavaraj, the actor set his own house on fire by his own conduct and now he is pleading before the high court with the request, "Please douse the flames." One cannot be an arsonist and a fire-fighter at the same time, he added. Justice M Nagaprasanna adjourned the case hearing while granting time to Raajkamal Films International to file their objections. The undertaking given by the petitioners that they will not release the film in Karnataka until the matter is resolved after holding dialogue with Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce will continue, the judge said, while orally repeating the suggestion made by the court earlier that "discretion is the best part of valour". Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
India Today
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Karnataka High Court seeks Kamal Haasan apology update in Thug Life case hearing
The Karnataka High Court on Friday heard a petition related to the release of the Tamil film starring Kamal Haasan, Thug Life, with Justice Nagaprasanna questioning once again whether the actor had apologised for his controversial remarks.'Has Kamal Haasan not apologised yet? What happened to the Supreme Court hearing?' the judge asked. Responding to this, Kamal Haasan's counsel informed the court that the actor had not yet apologised and that the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the Karnataka government in the the hearing, a petition from the Kannada Sahitya Parishat requested the court to allow them to present their arguments. Senior advocate S Basavaraj, representing the Parishat, said, 'Kamal Haasan made a stupid statement,' and argued that the words 'Karnataka' and 'Kannada' are deeply rooted in ancient texts and traditions. The counsel representing Raajkamal Films, the film production banner founded by the actor, objected to the use of the word 'stupid,' saying it was being taken offensively and that they would be filing objections to the Parishat's Kannada Sahitya Parishat's advocate, meanwhile, expressed regret over the 'stupid' court adjourned the hearing to June 20 and reiterated its earlier directive not to proceed with the film's release until further orders. Justice Nagaprasanna also urged all parties involved to exercise restraint and comes after Kamal Haasan, during a promotion event, stated that 'Kannada was born out of Tamil', triggering a sharp backlash and boycott of his film in Karnataka. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Tamil Nadu
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Language row: Still no apology, Karnataka HC tells Haasan, accepts implead application from Kannada org
The Karnataka High Court has noted that actor Kamal Haasan has not apologized for his controversial remarks about the Kannada language. The court directed the producer of 'Thug Life' to respond to Kannada Sahitya Parishat's application, which seeks to protect Kannada's cultural and linguistic identity. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Actor Kamal Haasan has not yet issued an apology for his controversial remarks on Kannada language, observed the Karnataka High Court on Friday and directed the producer of his latest film 'Thug Life' to respond to an application filed by Kannada Sahitya Parishat The application sought intervention in the producer's pleas against the ban on the film's release in the Parishat wanted to place before the Court, the constitutional, cultural and linguistic concerns arising from the statements made by Haasan, particularly from the perspective of protecting the identity, dignity and historical legacy of the Kannada language and case stems from a statement made by Haasan during the audio release of the film, where he had said that Kannada was born out of Tamil remark led to a huge controversy and Karnataka leaders and the Film Chamber of the state demanded that the actor withdraw his statement and tender an apology. However, he declined to apologise and opted against releasing the movie in Karnataka on June 5, when it was released Friday, the counsel for production house Raaj Kamal Films International submitted that the actor would need a week's time to file objections to the Kannada Sahitya Parishat's impleadment application. Justice M Nagaprasanna , who heard the case, posted the matter to June Raaj Kamal Films International filed a petition seeking adequate security for the movie's release in the the matter came up for hearing before Justice Nagaprasanna on June 3, counsel for the petitioner maintained that there was no malice and an apology was not warranted and submitted that the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon in the state till the issue gets resolved through the hearing, Haasan came in for strong criticism from the court for his remark, and the court observed that a "single apology could have resolved the situation".
