Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)

Udupi, Mar 31: Neelavara Surendra Adiga, Udupi district Kannada Sahitya Parishad president, has clarified that he is not against Tulu language.

Addressing media on Wednesday March 31, he said, "I am not against Tulu. Tulu is our sister language. I have high regard and love for this language. In any board, 60 percent should be covered by Kannada, and only the remaining space should be occupied by other languages.”

Referring to the dispute about the board in the Tulu script displayed in Sri Krishna Math here, Adiga said he is happy that a board in Tulu has been put up. He said he is a member of the Jagruti Samiti of the Sahitya Parishad besides being the district president of the Parishad. "We always are in support of Tulu language getting its rightful place in the eighth schedule of the constitution. Irrespective of which board is put up, Kannada should get preference. Whether it is church, mosque, Math or something else, the name board should have Kannada at the beginning. I always regard my position as an opportunity to serve, not a position of power. I purely am a writer. I always believe that those who carry the palanquin on their shoulders should be seated inside it," he said.

“I just want to cherish Kannada literature and encouraging the same. I will not support any left or right wing groups. I believe that all are equal, should love and trust each othe.

“I want the Kannada Bhavan building completed soon in Udupi. It is my dream project. The reserved land is transferred to the name of Udupi district Kannada Sahitya Parishad. If there was no Covid issue, foundation for the building work would have been laid three months ago. The plan and blue print of the bhavan and everything is ready. There will be a library in it. I will give priority to e-library in order to encourage reading habit. If I get another chance after this election, definitely I will work for Kannada. Let anyone contest the election. All are our own people.

“This is my last election and I will not contest the next election. I do not know other thing than Kannada. I came through Gokak movement and I was a coolie worker earlier. I do not compromise on anything, when the issue of Kannada comes to me. I have grown up like that.

“In my term, I did many services for Kannada literature as district president for KSP and if I win, all works will be continued as before,” he said.

Recently, Paryaya Admaru Math Sri Ishapriya Theertha Swamiji had responded to the opposition emanating from some quarters to the display of board in Tulu. He said many who objected earlier, had later apologised and publicised that Kannada board was set up because of him. They too should come forward, take part in the programme, follow the ideals of Lord Hanuman, and undertake noble deeds," he stated.

It may be recalled, Swamiji had said that in the next election, Adige should leave aside the post of the president to others and imbibe the ideals of Lord Ram.

Shantharam Shetty, Upendra Somayaji, Nityananda Pai, Devidas Hebbar, Pundalika Marathe, Prabhakar Shetty and others were present.