Thinkers slam Mutt heads-politicians nexus

MYSORE: Criticising the nexus between mutt heads and political parties with regard to the power sharing in the state, writers and thinkers expressed their concern over the confrontation between the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities.They criticised the attempt being made by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to pull down the D V Sadananda Gowda’s government. They were speaking at a discussion on the ideologies of Prof K Ramadas organised by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Trust at Maharaja College on Sunday.Senior advocate A K Subbaiah said both the communities are acting against the ideologies of prof K Ramadas who fought for a casteless society. The ideologies of Ramadas will create awareness among present generation and bring changes in society, he said.After releasing the book ‘Urida Panju’, writings of Ramadas and articles about him by different personalities, thinker and writer prof H L Keshavamurthy accused the state government of creating differences between Lingayats and Vokkaligas.He said the Yeddyurappa-led government had sanctioned Rs 390 crore to 135 mutts and more than 25 per cent of this grant was given to Lingayat mutts.“Now, Sadananda Gowda had announced Rs 71.5 crore for various mutts, including mutts belonging to neglected sections. This clearly indicates that the government is trying to create differences between castes,” he said.“These two communities have neglected the interest of remaining 60 per cent people. Progressive leaders need to sensitise people about this issue,” Keshavamurthy said.Socialist D S Nagabhushan also spoke on the occasion.