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The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Protest in Dharwad today by writers, linguists, activists against actor's remark
Taking strong exception to the recent remark by veteran actor Kamal Haasan on the origin of Kannada language, several writers, artistes, linguists, intellectuals and Kannada activists will stage a day-long protest in Dharwad on Monday. The protest spearheaded by Karnatak Vidyavardhakh Sangha, a century-old representative body of Kannadigas, will be staged in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad. The protest will begin at 11 a.m. Taking exception to Kamal Haasan's remark on the origin of Kannada, Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha held a consultative meeting on June 2 in which senior Kannada scholars, artistes and intellectuals took part. After due deliberations during the meeting, the sangha passed several resolutions. They are: Despite having stated that 'Tamil is the mother of Kannada and that Kannada originated from Tamil', actor Kamal Haasan has neither apologised to Kannadigas nor expressed regret. He has also not complied with the High Court's directive to tender an apology. The Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha has no opposition either towards Tamil language or Tamil-speaking people as it is known fact that languages originating from Proto-Dravidian language evolved into different languages. Despite this being the truth, Kamal Haasan has reportedly stated that he still intends to speak about Tamil supremacy. He has the right to speak about his language, but belittling or demeaning another language is strongly condemned by the sangha. 'By June 25, Kamal Haasan must withdraw his baseless statement about Kannada language, express regret and apologise to Kannadigas. If he fails to do so, the Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha will be compelled to launch a State-wide intense agitation,' says the resolution passed by the sangha. In pursuance of the decision taken during the consultative meeting, the sangha will stage a dharna on Monday and submit a memorandum registering its protest against the actor's remark.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chandrakanth Bellad and his team make clean sweep in elections to Vidyavardhak Sangha
The faction led by incumbent president Chandrakanth Bellad made a clean sweep in the elections to Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha, the results of which were announced on Monday evening. The elections to the 135-year-old sangha, a representative body of Kannada and Kannadigas, evoked much interest this time, as candidates with affiliation to two national parties were in the fray forming two panels. While the faction led by incumbent president sought votes based on the work it has done, the faction led by the former MLC Mohan Limbikai accused the present body of not having done much for Kannada and Kannadigas and appealed for a vote for change. However, when the counting of votes concluded, it was evident that the electorate, which comprised writers, artistes, politicians, religious heads, professionals and people from different walks of life, has decided in favour of the existing office-bearers. Mr. Bellad managed to win the elections for the second time by defeating his opponent Mohan Limbikai by a margin of 550 votes. In the previous election held after the demise of veteran journalist Patil Puttappa, Mr. Bellad won comfortably with a margin of 1,650 votes. This time, Mr. Bellad, who is a former MLA, fetched 2,328 polls, while Mr. Limbikai polled 1,816 votes. Two other contenders Hanumakshi Gogi and Chandrashekhar Rayar got 204 and 39 votes, respectively. In the intense battle for the post of general secretary, incumbent Shankar Halgatti secured 2,488 votes against 1,929 polled by the former general secretary Prakash Udakeri. Incumbent executive committee member Sanjiv Kulkarni contested for the vice-president's post and won comfortably by securing 2,089 votes. His opponents Sharanappa Kotagi and D.M. Hiremath polled 1,349 and 952 votes, respectively. In the contest for working president's post senior advocate Basavaprabhu Hosakeri defeated journalist Manoj Gouda Patil by a margin of over 1,800 votes. Shankar Kumbi (2,573 votes) defeated Marthandappa Katti (1,777 votes) to become joint secretary, while Satish Turmari was elected as treasurer. Vishweshwari Hiremath got elected to the executive committee under woman reservation and Dhanwant Hajavgol under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reservation. A total of 20 candidates were in the fray for the seven executive committee posts. Of them, all seven of the Bellad faction have won. They are Shailaja Amarashetti, Shivanand Bhavikatti, Jinadatta Hadagali, Guru Hiremath, Mahesh Horakeri, Veeramma Waddin and Shashidhar Todkar. After the results were announced, Mr. Shankar Halgatthi told presspersons that the voters have reposed trust in the Bellad panel. The new body will work towards realising the objective of the sangha, he said.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
65% votes polled in elections to Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha
Polling in the elections to the 135-year-old Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha, a representative body of Kannada and Kannadigas, for electing new office-bearers for the period 2025-28, which has drawn the attraction of many due to the participation of candidates with political affiliation, passed off smoothly in Dharwad on Sunday. Despite intermittent showers during the day, voters of the sangha turned up in good numbers to cast their votes during polling which was held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to election officer C.S. Neginahal, after the polling concluded on Sunday evening, 65% of the voters have cast their votes. People from all walks of life prominently writers, artistes and different professionals who are members of the sangha, turned up in a leisurely manner to exercise their votes. In the run-up to the polling, candidates of the two factions, one which is of the incumbent office-bearers led by president Chandrakanth Bellad and the other led by the former MLC Mohan Limbikai, had taken up extensive campaigning using all modes of communication. The candidates were seen seeking votes holding umbrellas as the voters approached the polling station. The sangha has a total of 9,104 voters, including writers, politicians, entrepreneurs, journalists, Kannada enthusiasts and lawyers. Notable personalities who voted include senior writers Veeranna Rajur, Veena Shanteshwar, Siddhaling Pattanashetti, Hema Pattanashetti and politicians, including MLC S.V. Sankanoor, the former Chairman of the Legislative Council Veeranna Mattikatti, T. Eshwar, Shankaran Munavalli, Mahantesh Koujalagi, the former MLA Vishwanath Patil, MLA N.H. Konaraddi, Savadatti MLA Vishwanath Vaidya, the former Minister P.C. Siddanagouda, the former Registrar S.B. Hinchigeri and interim Vice-Chancellor of Raichur University Sumateendra Kulkarni and others. The former Chief Minister and Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar who is also a member of the sangha cast his vote on Sunday. Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Shettar said that no matter who won, the sangha should continue making greater contributions to literature and Kannada. 'Good candidates with an interest in literature should be elected,' he said. On politicians contesting in the sangha election, he said that nothing could be done as politics has entered all fields. 'Many politicians have love for language and take pride in the literature of the land and they also want to do something for the cause of land, language and water. At the end, we want the objectives of the sangha to be met,' he said. The contest The incumbent president of the sangha Chandrakanth Bellad is being challenged by the former MLC Mohan Limbikai. Historian Hanumakshi Gogi is too in the fray. There is a direct fight for the general secretary's post too with incumbent general secretary Shankar Halgatthi being challenged by Prakash Udakeri of the Patil Puttappa faction. For the working president's post, there is a direct fight between Basavaprabhu Hosakeri and journalist Manojkumar Gouda Patil. And, Sanjeev Kulkarni, Sharanappa Kotagi and D.M. Hiremath are in the race for the vice-president's post. For the treasurer's post, the contenders are Satish Turmuri, Veeranna Yalali and Sanjeev Dhumakanal. As many as 28 candidates are in the fray for the seven-member executive committee. The counting of votes will take place on Monday and a clear picture is likely to emerge by afternoon.
