Poets lament Sulwadi temple poisoning incident

Mysuru: Poems about the heinous Sulwadi Maramma Temple poisoning incident were recited at the University of Mysore on Saturday.
Samajika Nyayapara Vedike, in association with University of Mysore’s Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, organised a poets’ meet ‘E Saavu Nyayave?’ to pay homage to victims of the incident at B M Sri Auditorium at the Manasagangotri campus.

Noted Kannada writer CP Krishnakumar said it was the most horrifying incident he has read about. “The incident is an indicator of our society. Not only has the environment, food and soil been polluted and poisoned, but the human mind and body is getting poisoned. There is a fear that humanity, civility and culture in the society will disappear one day. The society needs 500 years to adopt the ‘Vishwamanava’ concept taught by poet laureate Kuvempu,” he said.

Writer and Dalit MP L Hanumantaiah said people have become mute spectators to such incidents. “I wrote to the central government seeking financial support for family members of the victims. I didn’t even receive a reply from Union ministers. The victims’ families didn’t get any help,” he said.

Hanumantaiah said elected representatives are selling themselves for personal benefit. The religious centres which are supposed to guide people have lost their value. Despite all this, people are silent. People should protest against political and religious leaders who have forgotten their responsibility. Writers and students should alert the society, he said.

Priya, daughter of Maili Bai who died in the incident, after inaugurating the event, appealed to the government and judiciary to give capital punishment to people responsible for the deaths. “I request people to raise their voice to demand death for criminals responsible for the incident,” she said.

Writers Horeyala Doreswamy, C Sarvamangala, MS Shekar, N K Lolakshi, among others, were present.