DHARWAD: The statement by journalist and president of the Karnataka Vidyvardhaka Sangha Patil Puttappa calling for a ban on the controversial book "Anu Deva Horaganavanu" by Banjagere Jayaprakash led to protests by members of Dalit organisations here on Friday.

In a press meeting, Mr. Puttappa had demanded that the State Government ban and confiscate copies of the controversial book alleging that the writer had indulged in character assassination of historical and religious personalities in the name of research.

He said the writer had not only made an attack on the birth of 12th century social reformer Basavanna but had indulged in character assassination of B.R. Amedhkar and Kuvempu.

Plea to Minister

Mr. Puttappa urged Home Minister M.P. Prakash to ban the book and served an ultimatum of fifteen days to take action.

"Otherwise it would lead to large scale agitation across the State," he said.

The journalist said the Home Minister should not justify the argument of the writer in the name of "freedom of expression". Even that freedom had certain restrictions, he said.

Agitation

Following the press meet, members of various Dalit organisations led by Sri Basavaraja Devaru of Revanasiddheshwara Mahamath, Dharwad, came to the Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha on Friday and staged dharna in front of sangha's building.

Sri Basavaraja Devaru said holding a press meet on such an issue in the Vidyavardhaka Sangha was against the principles of the sangha.

Mr. Puttappa had utilised the sangha's premises, which is known for its contribution to the state of Karnataka, to put forward his argument relating to caste, he said.

The seer said Mr. Puttappa had no moral right to call for a ban on the book written by a Dalit.

The arguments in a book based on research should be countered only by research, the seer said.

Even if Basavanna belonged to a lower caste, that would not make any impact on his greatness. The seer said Banjagere Jayaprakash was being targeted because he was a Dalit.

Altercation

The dharna led to an altercation, when member of executive committee of the sangha and writer Mohan Nagammanavar reached the sangha's premises.

There was an argument between the seer, his followers and Nagammanvar.

But it was sorted out with both parties admitting that a debate on the issue was required.

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