Hubballi: As part of Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations, Kannada Sahitya Academy (KSA, Bengaluru) is holding a monthlong Kannada Kavyotsava programme from November 1 to 30, and the same is being streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
KSA has invited around 30 writers to speak on Kannada poets of yore. However, the alleged non-inclusion of Muslim writers in the programme has upset many Muslim Kannada writers and non-Muslim progressive writers.
Kaleem Basha, writer and a retired Kannada subject inspector in the education department, said he had approached a KSA executive member over the same. “We were told that the lecture series is on ancient Kannada poets, a topic in which Muslim writers are hardly thorough. We argued that there are many Muslim writers who are capable of giving lectures on any ancient poet. Then he suggested that we contact the academy president,” he said, adding the non-inclusion of Muslim writers in mainstream literary activities is deliberate.
Senior poetess Dr K Sharifa said that academies run on public exchequer, which is enriched by the people of all religions and castes. “We wonder why a particular community is being kept out of the academy’s programmes and activities,” she asked.
Panditaradhya Maisuru, former Kannada professor at the University of Mysore, regretted the development, saying literature and culture are being politicised of late. “Efforts to suppress other religions and opinions have become a new normal,” he rued.
Academy president B V Vasanth Kumar said there has been no discrimination between Muslim and non-Muslim writers. “All are Kannada writers, and we want to organise programmes by inviting scholars who are an authority over Kannada works. We have not come across any objection by Muslim or non-Muslim writers over Kavyotsava. We welcome constructive suggestions from one and all. Opposing anything for the heck of it will not improve the health of any academy or organisation."