Dr Banjagere Jayaprakash, author of controversial work “Aanudeva Horaganavanu” has decided to “temporarily “ withdraw his book.

Dr Jayaprakash told Deccan Herald on Sunday that he had decided to withdraw the book, as he was disappointed with the way the book has been criticised by a section of the society.

“A set of people with vested interests are trying to divide society by misinterpreting my work. Despite being aware of my secular credentials they are accusing me of disturbing harmony in the society. Moreover, there are people who are trying to become leaders by opposing my book. I don’t wish my work to be a tool for such efforts”, he said.

Dr Jayaprakash clarified that there is no change in his stand, on the issues raised in the book. “I stick to what I have said in the book. I will take some more time to re-work on my book. I may find some more evidences to prove that Basavanna was born in a dalit family. Moreover, a few scholars felt that some words in the book were offensive in nature. Though I do not feel so, I will make efforts to put my thoughts more convincingly in the next edition”, he said.

According to the author the book has gone into seven prints and around 11,000 copies have been sold so far. The author said that he has decided to withdraw copies, which are for sale in book stalls and has also asked the publisher not to proceed with further prints.

A few scholars and several organisations of Veerashaiva Samaj took objections to the work and took out protest rallies across the State. They appealed to the State government to seize the copies of the book. However, the government also had set up a Fact Finding Committee, to look into the controversial portions in the book. But the committee headed by Dr M M Kalburgi did not arrive at a consensus.

Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has termed Dr Banjagere Jayaprakash’s decision to withdraw his controversial work Aanudeva Horaganavanu as a “ploy to weaken” the on-going protests demanding seizure of copies of his books. Mahasabha President Bheemanna Khandre, in a press release, said that withdrawal of the book was not the demand of the protesters. The Mahasabha will continue to demand its seizure by the State government. “If the State government fails to announce seizure of the work on Monday the Mahasabha will intensify the protest and picket Vidhana Soudha on July 25”, he said. He also demanded arrest of Dr Jayaprakash.

Dharna
Dharna demanding seizure of the book continued for the 18th day on Sunday, at Rani Chennamma Circle. Former ministers Rani Satish and Leeladevi R Prasad took part in the protest.