BANGALORE: The long-standing controversy between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over unveiling of the statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar at Ulsoor and the installing of a statue of Kannada saint poet Sarvajna in Chennai is likely to be settled as both the governments seem keen on putting the matter to rest. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Friday announced in the 2009-10 State Budget that necessary provisions will be made for installing of the statue of Sarvajna in Chennai.
The issue, which has dragged on for almost 17 years now, is expected to be sorted out, with Yeddyurappa receiving communication recently from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi regarding the Tamil Nadu government’s willingness to a Sarvajna statue in Chennai. Tamil Nadu’s Finance Minister, while presenting the state’s budget on Tuesday, had announced this decision. This may pave the way for unveiling of the controversial Thiruvalluvar statue in Bangalore.
Story so far A statue of Thiruvalluvar, erected by the Bangalore Tamil Sangam was ready for unveiling on the Gangadhara Chetty Road, opposite Ulsoor Lake in Bangalore by the former chief minister S Bangarappa on September 1, 1991.
The unveiling was stalled with the Karnataka government, Kannada activists, and organisations demanding the installation of Sarvajna statue in Chennai.
Since then the statue of Thiruvalluvar has been kept all wrapped up.
As part of a deal between both the state governments, a Sarvajna statue was to be installed in Tamil Nadu.
Sources said that Kannada activists, organisations and local Kannadigas in Tamil Nadu are demanding a prominent place in Chennai to install the statue.
Prominent place “Even the state government had written a letter to the Tamil Nadu government long back seeking a prominent place for the statue.
The Sarvajna statue was to be installed at Ayanavaram in a park, as more Kannadigas live in that location,” said the sources.
Secretary to the Department of Kannada and Culture Jayaram Raje Urs told The Express that the department had sent a proposal to the Finance Department to sanction money to start the work.
“The Kolar Public Works Department executive engineer has estimated Rs 50 lakh for the work of installing Sarvajna’s statue. Firstly, the place should be finalised and the platform should be built, which are time-consuming processes.
We will start the work at the earliest,” he said.
Urs opined it was high time to install and unveil the statues.
