MYSORE: The state government’s decision to invite Infosys chief mentor NR Narayana Murthy to inaugurate the World Kannada Meet in Belgaum and nominating Hema Malini to the Rajya Sabha has drawn severe flak from progressive Kannadiga leaders and writers.
Terming Narayana Murthy as an anti-Kannada industrialist, a group of progressive leaders and writers on Tuesday condemned the decision and demanded that the BJP uphold the dignity of Kannadigas and Karnataka by electing writer Prof Marulasiddappa to the Rajya Sabha and select persons who have contributed to Kannada to inaugurate the Kannada Meet.
At a press meet, writer HL Keshavamurthy alleged that the state government has nominated Hema Malini, a non-Kannadiga, for political reasons. All parties sidelined Kannadigas while nominating their candidates to the Rajya Sabha. Now, the BJP led government has also done injustice to Karnataka. If BJP MLAs have any self-respect, they should not yield to the whip of the high command and must vote for Marulasiddappa, Keshavamurthy urged.
Folklore expert Hi Shi Ramachadregowda felt that by inviting the Infosys mentor to inaugurate the Kannada Meet, the state government is cheating Kannadigas.
Murthy has proved his anti- Kannada mindset several times and he prefers English education from the primary-level, he added.
Moreover, Narayana Murthy had got tax exemption by furnishing false information, alleged Ramachadregowda.
Ramachandregowda calls upon BJP MLAs to support Prof Marulasiddappa, who has served Karnataka for a long time with commitment and secular approach.
Prof KS Bhagavan also urged the BJP MLAs to vote for Marulasiddappa.
Progressive leader Muddukrishna also opposed the state government’s decision on both the issues.
