CURTAINS: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa with other dignitaries at the valedictory function of 73rd All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Shimoga on Saturday.

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SHIMOGA: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said here on Saturday that the pro-Kannada views expressed by litterateurs were in principle acceptable to the Government.

Addressing the valedictory function of the 73rd All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan at the Nehru Stadium, he said that the Centre seemed to have developed an aversion for the leaders of Karnataka if its lack of response to the demands of the State was any indication.

He said while the neighbouring States were able to utilise all Central assistance under different projects, it was unfortunate that efforts were being made to ignore the claim of Karnataka on classical language status for Kannada.

`Unfortunate'

The Chief Minister said it was unfortunate that the Kannada Sahitya Sammelan seemed to be moving away from Kannada.

"An impression is gaining ground that it has become a show of extravaganza," he noted.

Mr. Kumaraswamy observed that the task of developing Kannada had to be tackled with the cooperation of all those committed to its cause. He said, "If this task is not handled sincerely, the expenditure on holding the sammelan becomes a waste."

He said the Kannada Sahitya Sammelan should not become a platform for controversies where politics and literary efforts are mixed up.

Any reluctance on the part of the organisers of the sammelan to involve the administration in its conduct would give a different meaning, he added.

Suggestions

The Chief Minister noted that Kannada litterateurs had been giving their suggestions from time to time on the need to protect and promote Kannada at all levels, and the Government had accepted them with an open mind.

"But in the recent times a trend of blaming the Government unnecessarily has become noticeable. One must note that there is no dearth of funds for the development of Kannada," he said.

The Chief Minister promised that the Government was committed to giving Rs.10 lakh to Rashtrakavi G.S. Shivarudrappa. "Let there be no confusion on this issue," he said.

Awareness

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said Kannadigas would not tolerate any injustice to their language. Minister for Higher Education D.H. Shankaramurthy, Minister for Water Resources K.S. Eshwarappa emphasised the need for creating awareness among the Kannadigas about their language and culture.

`Unprecedented'

President of the sammelan K.S. Nisar Ahmed described the event as unprecedented as far as its achievements were concerned.

President of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat Chandrashekhar Patil presided over the function.

President of the Kannada Development Authority Siddalingaiah described the sammelan as a "mile stone" in the development of Kannada.

He said: "The unification of Karnataka has been achieved. What remains to be done is the `Kannadisation' of the State."

Former Minister K.H. Srinivas and former Shimoga MP Ayanur Manjunath addressed the gathering.

President of the district unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat and secretary of the organising committee D. Manjunath welcomed the gathering.

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