The Hindu : Front Page : Sonal Mansingh meets Jaipal Reddy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 25, 2005

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Front Page

Sonal Mansingh meets Jaipal Reddy

Special Correspondent

Sonal Mansingh

NEW DELHI: For the first time since differences within the Sangeet Natak Akademi were aired in public, the chairperson, Sonal Mansingh, met the Union Minister of Culture, S. Jaipal Reddy, here on Sunday to present her case on the allegations levelled against her by a section of artistes.

Three of the Executive Board members, Swapnasundari, Kumudini Lakhiya and Nandini Ramini, accompanied her. All of them said that Saturday's meeting of the Board was held in a cordial atmosphere, with Kavalam Narayana Panikkar — who has since resigned from the post of Vice-Chairman — participating in the marathon session wholeheartedly.

Ms. Mansingh said Mr. Panikkar's late night decision to resign surprised her. "He was with us throughout the meeting. It went off well, we transacted a lot of business and even issued a joint statement articulating the Board's decision to ask the Carnatic vocalist, M. Balamuralikrishna, to withdraw his resignation from the General Council."

In view of Mr. Panikkar's resignation and the mounting criticism of her style of functioning, Ms. Mansingh said she decided to meet the Minister to clear the air.

"I showed him the documents relating to the allegations made against me so as to prove that my detractors are talking in the air. It is an orchestrated campaign.''

Government to decide

As for the Board's decision to request Mr. Balamuralikrishna to withdraw his resignation, she said: "Apparently he has told Mr. Panikkar that he would not reconsider. So there is no point asking him to withdraw his resignation. Both resignation letters are with the Minister; it is for the Government to decide."

While pressure is brought upon the Government to remove Ms. Mansingh, the Ministry's position is that it does not have the powers to dismiss her.

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