Karnataka - Bellary   

Mahasabha seeks Prakash's ouster from Cabinet

Staff Correspondent

The Minister's stand on a controversial book criticised

BELLARY: The Vishwa Basavadharma Mahasabha, which is spearheading an agitation against the controversial book "Anu deva horaganavanu", written by Banjegere Jayaprakash, seeking a ban, has now trained its guns at M.P. Prakash, Minister for Home, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, for reportedly expressing support to the book that has, according to the mahasabha, hurt the sentiments of the followers of Basaveshwara, 12th century social reformer.

"He should resign owning moral responsibility for supporting the book which has hurt the sentiments of the followers of Basaveshwara in various communities. If he does not, the Chief Minister should take immediate steps to drop him from the Ministry failing which the agitation will be intensified," Sri Dayanandswamiji, organising secretary of the mahasabha, said at a press conference here on Friday.

Taking exception to the reported statements of Mr. Prakash about the book and expressing himself (Minister) against its ban, the swamiji felt that such a stand by a person holding a responsible position in the Government would lead to a law and order situation.

"Is Mr. Prakash not pained by the content of the book, which assassinates the character of several personalities, including Basaveshwara, Buddha, Ambedkar and Kuvempu?" he asked.

He said that agitations have begun in parts of the State against the book and also against the reported statement of Mr. Prakash.

A dharna would be staged in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Bellary on Monday in protest against the reported statements of Mr. Prakash.

A week thereafter, a call for a Bellary bandh would be given.

A dharna would be staged in front of the residence of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy shortly urging him to drop Mr. Prakash from the Cabinet and also to initiate legal action against him for his reported remarks.

The swamiji made it clear that it was the "character assassination" in the book which has pained the followers of Basaveshwara the most than the writer mentioning that Basaveshwara belonged to the Madiga community.

He criticised the writer for trying to distort facts without giving valid documentary evidences and suspected that it was an attempt to cause differences between the followers of Basaveshwara and other communities.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Prakash's ouster from Cabinet sought
Mahasabha seeks Prakash's ouster from Cabinet

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu