MLCs object govt's move to 'politicise' literature

Opposition MLCs took a dig at the government for ‘politicising literature’ by setting aside Rs 1 crore for theatrical performances of writer S L Bhyrappa’s play ‘Parva’.

“Why is Bhyrappa receiving state’s patronage which writers like Kuvempu did not,” opposition MLCs asked, urging the government to avoid such bias.

During the discussion on the budget in the Legislative Council, Congress MLC B K Hariprasad highlighted reports of Bhyrappa’s controversial remarks against Lord Ram. “Is the money set aside for Bhyrappa to research whether Ram was a historical figure or not?” he said, noting that authors like K S Bhagwan would have attracted the wrath of right-wing ideologues if they made a similar remark.

Muzrai Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary defended the author, saying that one word used by Bhyrappa cannot be used to target him. Meanwhile, another Congress MLC M Narayanaswamy alleged that Bhyrappa had made derogatory remarks about the mythological figure Draupadi, who is revered by many communities in the state. “Why is the government spending money on his works?” he said.

JD(S) MLC K T Srikantegowda recalled that though Jnanpith winner Kuvempu’s novel Malegalalli Madumagalu was adapted as a play, the state government had not offered any financial assistance to the project. “Why is the government funding a play of just S L Bhyrappa’s ‘Parva’?”, he said, questioning whether the government would extend the similar patronage to renowned authors of the state.

Why was Bhyrappa receiving the assistance that Kuvempu was not provided with, he asked, advising the government to refrain from politicising literature.