Rajur blames government and Kannadigas for the plight of Kannada

Sammelana Sarvadhyaksha (president) S.R. Gunjal being felicitated during the valedictory ceremony of the 17th Dharwad Zilla Sahitya Sammelana in Dharwad on February 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Chairman of Dr. M.M. Kalburgi National Trust Prof. Veeranna Rajur has said that Kannada had not attained supremacy because of the lack of political will of successive governments and lack of pride among Kannadigas in their language.

Delivering the valedictory address during the concluding ceremony of 17^th Dharwad Zilla Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Dharwad on February 4, Prof. Rajur said that no language would die but would remain as history. “It will imbibe the influence of other languages to keep growing,” he said.

Vachana literature gave a new dimension  to Kannada literature. “However, Basaveshwara, who initiated the social revolution and vachana literature, has been named a cultural icon as they could not declare him a world leader. It should be made mandatory to keep a portrait of Basavanna in every programme,” he said.

Elaborating on how publication of books had become an industry, he called on writers not to go after increasing their publications, but focus on producing quality literature. “Good texts could be produced only through commitment and continuous study. And good texts are required for the overall development of students,” he said.

Prof. Rajur emphasised on the need for ensuring implementation of the resolutions passed during the Sahitya Sammelana. He lauded the contribution of Sammela Sarvadhyaksha (president) S.R. Gunjal to the field of vachana literature.

Takes exception to honouring accused in Gauri Lankesh murder

He termed according a welcome to the accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case on their release on bail as disturbing. He condemned the incident strongly, and asked the literary world to take serious note of it.

Prof. Shashidhar Todkar, chairman of Sir Siddappa Kambali Foundation, elaborated on S.R. Gunjal’s contribution to vachana literature. Shankar Halagatti, general secretary of Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha, and Sharanappa Kotagi, secretary of Basaveshwara Rural Education Society, also spoke.

‘Sammelana Sarvadhyaksha’ S.R. Gunjal was warmly felicitated by the Sahitya Parishat district president Prof. Lingaraj Angadi and other dignitaries.

Resolutions

Four resolutions were passed during the Sammelana. They were:

• Taking strict measures to improve quality of primary education and infrastructure

• 50% reservation for Kannadigas in employment in departments and institutions of Union Government and MNCs

• Taking decision to utilise the remaining funds of the 84^th Akhila Bharath Kannada Sahitya Sammelana for construction of a hi-tech amphitheatre in Dharwad

• handing over land given on lease for construction of zilla Kannada Sahitya Bhavana to Sahitya Parishat permanently