Nrupathunga Sahitya Award was presented to noted litterateur Dr D Javregowda on Saturday. The award, carrying cash prize of Rs 5,00,001, has been jointly instituted by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and Kannada Sahitha Parishat.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gowda took a dig at politicians from the state. The elected representatives not working for the Kannada language were Shikandis (eunuchs), he added.

He said Kannada and Tamil were twin languages and belong to the same period. But, Kannada has been denied classical tag, he added.

Union Minister for State for Planning M V Rajashekaran said that the government is making several efforts to get classical status for Kannada.

In this regard, delegation of MPs will meet the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon, he added.