In a sudden development, CFTRI Director Ram Rajasekharan, who was persistently accused of being “anti-Kannada”, has been shunted out of the country’s premier food technology institute, with immediate effect.
In its communication dated August 25, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, said Prof. Rajasekharan has been transferred in “public interest”. He has been posted to the CSIR headquarters in New Delhi as Director (Special Projects and Initiatives).
Pro-Kannada activists had demanded his transfer owing to his alleged anti-Kannada position in the administration, and for allegedly curbing cultural activities of Kannada-speaking employees at the institute. Jitendra Jadhav, Director, National Aerospace Laboratories, Bengaluru, has been asked to hold additional charge as Director of CFTRI, until further orders. Prof. Jadhav took over charge on Monday.
Prof. Rajasekharan was not available for comment despite repeated attempts to reach him. Sources at the CFTRI told The Hindu that the outgoing director is on medical leave.
Pro-Kannada activists have welcomed his transfer. “It’s a welcome step,” said activist K.S. Shivaram, who is the president of the Karnataka Backward Classes Forum.
Prof. Rajasekharan, who had assumed charge as director five years ago, had taken steps to bring people and farmers closer to the institute. He had opened the doors of the institute to the public to increase awareness about its technologies for suitable adoption.
Three years ago, the eminent scientist was roughed up and black paint was thrown on him by activists, allegedly belonging to the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (T.A. Narayana Gowda faction) here on the University of Mysuru campus.
Kannada Sahrudaya Balaga, a cultural association of employees, was denied permission to hold its activities at the institute. The administration cited a directive from the CSIR against permitting employees, including scientists, to start cultural organisations on the premises. This had upset some writers, progressive thinkers, and pro-Kannada groups.
Prof. Rajasekharan, who strongly denied he was anti-Kannada, had said that his move to streamline and tone up the administration had not gone down well with some staff, who had made uncalled for accusations against him.
The late D. Jaware Gowda, noted writer, had alleged that Kannada employees in CFTRI were being “harassed” and “transferred”.
Prof. Rajasekharan had refuted allegations that Kannadigas were being denied opportunities at the CFTRI.
Kannada Development Authority (KDA) Chairman S.G. Siddaramaiah had recently met Prof. Rajasekharan at his office here, along with some writers, to review the implementation of Kannada at the institute.
The KDA chairman had asked him to take measures to remove the alleged “anti-Kannada” atmosphere at the institute. He had also set a 15-day deadline for Prof. Rajasekharan to set right the alleged lapses, which included the suspension of two employees.
The KDA chairman was told that a Kannada cell had been launched to promote implementation of Kannada in the administration.