Seminar on Bhagavad Gita: Kuvempu varsity V-C says protest is part of discussion

A seminar on ‘Bhagavad Gita and Prevention of Crime’ was held at Basava Bhavana, on the Kuvempu University campus at Shankarghatta near Shivamogga in Karnataka, amidst police security on November 18.

Entry to the venue was restricted. The police checked identity cards before letting participants enter the hall.

The Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, founded by Professor B. Krishnappa, had threatened a protest at the venue if the event was not cancelled, forcing the organisers of the seminar to seek police security.

Under the leadership of M. Gurumurthy, State convener of the DSS, a dharna was staged in front of the entrance of the university. The protesters beat hand drums and raised slogans criticising Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sharath Ananthamurthy for organising the seminar. The police stopped the protesters when they tried to enter the campus by climbing up the gates.

Mr. Gurumurthy, speaking to the media, remarked that the V-C should not have allowed the seminar on Bhagavad Gita on the campus of the university, which is named in honour of Kuvempu. “The proponents of Bhagavad Gita did not accept the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. When Dr. Ambedkar presented the Constitution, V.D. Savarkar and other Hindutva activists opposed it arguing that it lacked Indian character. They wanted the elements of Bhagavad Gita in the Constitution. How can one accept the Bhagavad Gitat, which defends the chaturvarna (four caste) system?”

V-C says protest is also part of the discussion

Prof. Sharath Ananthamurthy, in his address at the inaugural ceremony of the seminar, said that he was open for debates and dialogue on the campus. He would welcome the protest by the DSS. “I wanted the protesters to be part of the discussion. However, allowing them inside might lead to chaos. I requested them not to do it,” he said.