Organising Secretary of Vishwa Basavadharma Mahasabha Dayananda Swamiji has demanded the resignation of Home Minister M P Prakash on moral grounds for issuing statements supporting writer Banjagere Jayaprakash’s controversial book ‘Aanu Deva Horaganavanu’.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Dayanada Swamiji said urged the government to seize the book and arrest the writer for insulting 12th century social reformer Basavanna and his family.

He said a state-wide agitation was being planned  in association with various organisations.

‘Shocked’

The seer said the followers of Basavanna were shocked at Prakash’s statement that he would support the book, but  not seize it. The home minister, who was expected to maintain law and order, was behaving in an anti-constitutional way, he felt and alleged that it may affect the law and order condition in the state.

The government, had earlier, seized the copies of Chikaveera Rajendra, Mahachaitra, Dharmakarana, Basava Vachana Deepthi and other works. “In the same way, the government should also seize Banjagere Jayaprakash’s book”, he demanded.

“The followers of Basavanna’s and seers are already opposing the book. It is high time the chief minister drops Prakash from the Cabinet”, he said.

‘Ready for talk’
The seer said he was ready for a discussion about whether Basavanna was a Dalit by birth. “But we are taking exception to the fact mentioned in the book that Basavanna-Nagayi were meant for God’s service.

Likewise, it is discussed in the book that Buddha was the son of a tribal leader. Not only this, there are references of insult to Dr B R Ambedkar and Rashtrakavi Kuvempu in the book”, he complained.

Claiming that Banjagere Jayaprakash “knows nothing about Vachana Sahitya”, the seer said he had not provided no evidences to prove  his points. Further, he challenged him to come forward for a debate.

He said the Vishwa Basavadharma Mahasabha had already started an agitation and a call would be soon given for north Karnataka and state wide bundh.