‘Janagere Venkataramaiah to contest for Sahitya Parishat chief election to save the literary body’

Kannada Development Authority former chairman S.G. Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, said a platform of like-minded people has decided to field writer and activist Janagere Venkataramaiah as the candidate for the election to the post of Kannada Sahitya Parishat to save the literary body from decay.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Parishat had been on the path of decay due to the administration by retired officials as the president for the last 10 years. The like-minded people’s platform intends to revive the literary body through various activities and thus has decided to field Mr. Venkataramaiah.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the previous president has destroyed the Kannada identity. The literary activities being carried out by the Parishat have come to a standstill. Cases were registered against those who questioned the president and they were removed as members. Following protest against such oppression, the government formed an inquiry committee; out of 17 charges against him, 16 were proved. One was under investigation.

He said the probe has found ₹8 crore mismanagement in the Parishat during the erstwhile chief’s tenure. Elections were likely to be held in December-January.

Mr. Venkataramaiah said, “It is our responsibility to save the Parishat, which has a history of 112 years. When retired officers take charge, they exercise their power without thinking that it is service to the language. We have already toured 22 districts to keep such people away, and our aim is to remove the dirt of the past and start the activity again.”