Thousands of enthusiastic people lined up the 3-km route festooned with the Kannada flags from Corporation Circle to National College grounds as the ‘chariot’ carrying the Sammelan president Prof G Venkatasubbaiah and other floats and bands made their way to the venue.
Many writers, film stars, folk artistes, Kannada activists in their trade-mark yellow and red shawls and politicians, along with caparisoned elephants, horses and camels, added glitz and glamour to the procession, which took nearly four hours to reach the Sammelana venue at National College grounds.
The 98-year-old Venkatasubbaiah, writer and lexicographer, enjoying the honour of presiding over the traditional Sammelana, greeted everyone with folded hands and smiles.
Venkatasubbaiah, in his presidential speech, made ample references to the need to nurture Kannada and its people, with right emphasis on promoting the language in education and administration.
Sting in tail
But the sting in his 50-minute speech was in the tail. Mincing no words and largely reflecting the recent concerns of the intelligentsia and the common man about the state of affairs, Prof Venkatasubbaiah said Karnataka had “earned the dubious reputation of being the most corrupt state in the country.” Speaking from the decorated Rajarshi Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar stage, with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and some of his ministerial colleagues for company, Prof Venkatasubbaiah had no dearth for words when he expressed his resentment over the present political situation and politicians.
Without naming anyone, he said: “The Constitution of India is famous as the best text of state craft. But the political parties have rejected this and are fighting for power. Incapable people use abusive words as weapons and fight among themselves.”
Dignity and culture
He said many legislators were not maintaining dignity or culture in their talk, behaviour and work.
“There is no seriousness in them. Common people have no peace of mind. Confusion has eroded peace. People are cursing themselves and politician parties for having elected such incapable legislators. It is an irony to see people who should protect us are squabbling among themselves.”
Venkatasubbaiah’s comments in the presence of a galaxy of VIPs, including well-known writers, artistes, film stars and around 25,000 people, made Yeddyurappa literally squirm in his chair. He suddenly began looking back giving an impression that he was keen on watching the proceedings on the huge LCD screen behind him. He was also seen wiping his face with a handkerchief.
The comment of the president, especially on corruption, struck a chord in the audience and it drew a huge applause from them. Many were on their feet cheering wildly.
Yeddyurappa continued to stare at the LCD monitor, still turning his back to the audience and television cameras. He briefly turned to Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Nallur Prasad and asked him for something. The audiences’ jubilation continued. Other politicians on the dais including ministers Suresh Kumar, Govind Karjol and MP Ananth Kumar just looked on.
After Venkatasubbaiah’s speech, the CM reluctantly shook the president’s hands and conducted him to the chair.