Controversy arises as taluk KaSaPas seek applications for Sammelana presidency

Vijayapura: Taluk units of Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) in Vijayapura district have started inviting applications along with Aadhaar cards from aspirants to preside over Taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelanas. This move has triggered controversy as writers are opposing the move.
Parishat's functionaries say that the method facilitates eligible writers and helps maintain transparency. However, writers argue that the same rule may be taken up for Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (ABKSS) and if it is adopted, eligible veteran writers may be excluded from the process and only applicants will get the chance.
Currently, Muddebihal Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat has invited applications and a copy of the Aadhaar card from aspirants for the Taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelana to be held on Feb 15.
Abdul Rahman Bidarkundi, Chandragouda Kulkarni, and other writers from Muddebihal told TOI that it is an insult for a writer to apply for the presidency of a literary meet. "The process should be held without the knowledge of eligible writers. Their seniority and contributions should be recognised. No self-respecting writer will apply for such responsibilities. If the application inviting process continues, ineligible and financially sound aspirants may start buying such honours," they said.
Shankar Halagatti, a senior writer from Dharwad, commented that it is a sign that KSP is transforming into a commercial organisation. "Only shameless people can apply for the presidentship of Sammelana. It may be adopted for ABKSS too in the coming days. We strongly condemn it," he added.
He further said, "As non-literary persons are becoming presidents of KSP units, they don't know our culture of honouring scholars."
When contacted, Hasimpeer Walikar, president of the Vijayapura KSP unit, under which the Muddebihal unit falls, said that this system was already implemented during the Devar Hippargi, Basavan Bagewadi, Talikoti, and Almel taluk sahitya sammelanas held in the last three months. "We received 6-7 applications for the Almel taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelana but they were not eligible. We set them aside and selected another person who did not apply but was eligible as per our knowledge. Inviting applications helps us maintain transparency and we will come to know about writers who are contributing to Kannada literature. In the absence of inviting applications, the selection process goes one way and we will think only about those whom we know," he added.
He further said, "We are seeking Aadhaar to verify whether such writers reside in the respective taluk. We have observed that some writers, who hail from the taluk but reside in bigger cities, are grabbing such honours."