Karnad should have restrained himself: Umashree

Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree on Wednesday said that Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad should have restrained himself from making controversial statements during the State-organised Tipu Jayanti celebrations on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Umashree, when asked about her thoughts on Karnad’s statements, said that there was no need for Karnad to have made such remarks. “However high the stature, nobody should embarrass the government, especially during a State-organised event. It is a well-established fact that Kempegowda was the founder of Bengaluru, making it apt for the international airport to have been named after him.”

She, however, said that since Karnad had apologised for his remarks, there was no need to drag on the controversy. When asked about the logic behind the government organising so many “jayantis,” she said that the effort was to reminisce the contributions made by great personalities, so that the future generations do not forget about them.

She denied that such events were caste-based or vote bank politics.

Her department was also considering representations, urging that “Akkamahadevi Jayanti” too be celebrated, she added.