No statues in public places: DC

Politicians, writers of Mulbagal at loggerheads at meeting

Installation of statues of public personalities will not be allowed in public places — including that of politician Alangur Srinivas and writer D V Gundappa (DVG) — asserted Deputy Commissioner D S Vishwanath at a meeting held at the Superintendent of Police (SP) office on Tuesday.

His direction follows the State government circular issued in this regard in June.  However, Vishwanath’s direction was opposed by politicians and writers who were present at the meeting to put for their demand.  The meeting was organised to settle the controversy with regard to installation of Srinivas’ or Gundappa’s statue.

Although, it was decided earlier, to install DVG’s statue, the work had not commenced on it. But after Srinivas passed away, the JD(S) local unit wants to install his statue at the same place. This stirred up a controversy between the writers and politicians.

Opposing his decision, the JD(S) leaders said that when statues are being installed in other areas, why object in Mulbagal. At this, DC Vishwanath said “I will not speak for other districts. But it will not be allowed in Kolar.”

Not ready to buy his words, the JD(S) leaders threatened to immolate self, if the statue of Alangur Srinivas was  not allowed.

They alleged that the tahsildar and the town municipal council have already granted permission to have the statue but now withdrawing the permission, is not fair. “Tahsildar himself seem to be ignorant about the government guidelines. How do you expect us to know it,” they questioned the deputy commissioner.

They further said that JD(S) State leader H D Kumaraswamy is scheduled to unveil the statue on December 9 and preparations in this regard are in place. Rejecting it, at this juncture, is not fair, they rued.

In the meantime, leaders of pro-Kannada organisations too presented their demand. According to them, the decision to install writer D V Gundappa’s statue — where Srinivas’ statue is coming up — was taken a decade ago.

Leader Alangur Srinivas had even promised to contribute Rs one lakh towards it. The circle in Mulbagal town, still known as the DVG Circle. But, overnight, works on to install Srinivas’ statue have begun.

They wanted the statue (of Srinivas) be removed from that place. But amid such demands, a pro-Kannada leader Shakti Prasad declared that “organisations will not have any problem in having leader Srinivas’ statue,” much to the dismay of other Kannada leaders.

However, his statement, was welcomed by a few.

Alangur Shivanna, Kadenahalli Nagaraju, Gopal, Taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat president G Shivappa, Superintendent of police Ramnivas Sepat and Additional Superintendent of police H R Bhagwan Das were present.