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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faced criticism on Sunday for allegedly approving books by a prominent Kannada editor mainly associated with the right wing.
The author in question is Vishweshwar Bhatt, Editor-in-Chief of Kannada daily Vishwavani. The invitation to the book launch went viral on social media.
Several groups urged Siddaramaiah to withdraw from the programme, given the author’s “anti-Islamic, anti-sectarian, misogynistic behavior”. As per the invitation, Siddaramaiah and other guests will release three volumes of Sampadakara Sathyashodane by Bhat, as well as some other books. The book is scheduled to be released on Saturday (July 22).
Among those who criticized Siddaramaiah’s decision was Kavita Lankesh, a director and sister of slain journalist Gauri Lankesh. In a post, she shared a screenshot of a tweet by Bhatt, which, according to Kavita Lankesh, reflects his misogynistic attitude. Bhatt’s post mocked CM Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal when she called for a ‘Mancha’ (forum) against the BJP. “If we use the exact translation of Mancha in Kannada, then this call will give wrong meaning,” he wrote on Twitter. Mancha means bed in Kannada.
On Sunday, activist Vinay Srinivas also urged the prime minister to reconsider his decision.
my dear @tweet Sir, it is disappointing that you go as chief guest for a book release by The Hate Seller @tweet . Please see a sample of his posts in the past.
You support his Islamophobic, anti-sectarian and misogynistic behaviour.
Please withdraw sir asap. pic.twitter.com/gtlE2vw0km– Vinay Kansas (@vinaysreeni) July 16, 2023
“Dear Sir Siddaramaiah, It is so disappointing to go as chief guest for a book release by hate-monger Vishweshwar Bhatt. Please see a sample of his posts in the past,” he tweeted, sharing screenshots of Bhatt’s past articles and social media posts.
One of the posts included a column about journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was assassinated by right-wing groups in September 2017. The title of the article, written shortly after her murder, read that instead of dying by a ‘bullet’. If she died of “alcohol,” her death would be a one-column story.
“You support his Islamophobic, anti-caste and misogynistic behavior,” said Srinivas, who urged Siddaramaiah to withdraw from the event.
Prominent actor Prakash Raj asked CM to consider again attending the programme. “This does not bode well,” he said in a post.
Bhatt is no stranger to controversy. In October last year, he received criticism from various groups for a travel article in which he was accused of mocking President Draupadi Mormo’s dark complexion.
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