Bangalore: Row over Bhardwaj's Stand on Doctorate


Bangalore, Feb 6(IANS) : Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj is caught in a row over his refusal to accept Bangalore University's decision to give an honorary doctorate to a noted Kannada scholar known for his right-wing views.''And I am disturbed about it,'' he told reporters here. 

Bhardwaj Sunday justified his decision saying as the chancellor of the universities and as head of the state, he was "duty bound' to verify the antecedents of people to be honoured to avoid controversies.

Several leading Kannada writers, including Jnanpith award winner U.R. Ananthamurthy, have slammed Bhardwaj for not approving the Bangalore University proposal to give honorary doctorate to M. Chidananda Murthy, well-known in Karantaka for his research into the history of Kannada language and Karnataka.

"I do no agree with several views of Murthy but the governor's action is unjust and unacceptable," Ananthamurthy said Saturday, addressing the 77th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (Kannada literary convention) here.

"I am not well, but still I came here to express my views about the governor's decision," the Jnanpith awardee said.Bhardwaj, however, said "I am doing my duty."

"I have not rejected the university proposal, but only temporarily withheld approval as the gentleman had expressed communal views," he told reporters on the margins of a function here, reacting to the Kannada writers' criticisim.

Murthy had welcomed the recent report of a judicial panel absolving the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the government and Hindu groups of the series of attacks on churches in Karnataka in 2008.

He had been speaking against alleged conversion activities by Christian groups.
Bhardwaj said he was "disturbed" by such statements as the Christian community "felt let down" by the judicial panel headed by B.K. Somashekara, a retired judge of the Karnataka high court.

"I have not seen the Somashekara commission report as I have received only a synopsis of it. I am disturbed. The Christian community is disturbed. Hence I do not want to create another controversy (by accepting the varsity proposal to honour Murthy)," Bhardwaj said.

Reacting to Bhardwaj's explanation, Murthy said he had criticised the attacks on churches. "But I do speak against attempts at conversion," he said.Bangalore Archbishop Bernard Moras had said Saturday that "the entire Christian community rejects" the Somashekara commission report and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the attacks.

The Congress and Janata Dal-Secular have also criticised the commission's report and urged the Bharatiya Janata Party government not to accept it.Justice Somashekara submitted the report Jan 28. 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Mon, Feb 07 2011

    Shiv,

    What proof (of truth) do you want now that you are sitting there in Barbados ? Your location is a question because nobody who was in Mangalore will deny that the attacks took place. Since how long are you a Daiji reader ? Even if you go back searching on this website, you will get site-pictures of police beating women as well as broken statues and articles inside places of worship. There is Mahendra Kumar who took responsibility of attacks and regretting it too. How do you justify this barbarism ? Would you have raised the same question if the attack was on your place of worship ?

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Shiv, Barbados

    Sun, Feb 06 2011

    Pastor Frank. Literary contribution should not be mixed with Individual's opinion on religion view. Chidananda has rights to express his personal opinion as he is living in a free country.

    Moreever why you pastors are opposing the somashekar commission report when even you guys dont have the proof as what is the truth.


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  • Pastor E. W. Frank, Udupi

    Sun, Feb 06 2011

    Dear all concerned:

    I appreciate the Governor's stand and his honesty, integrity concern for Christians who have been severely attacked by the miscreants immediately after BJP took over the Karnataka State. It was the trick of BJP to destroy Christianity in India but it will be impossible to do so, but it will grow day by day: as we are harmless and very service minded people who brought culture, education, social service, hospital, etc., but BJP was accusing Christians for forceful conversion which is absolutely false. No one can force anyone by force conversion. Its a heinous lie. I thank God for Mr. Bharatdwaj as governor of Karnataka and we need him in Karnataka as long as BJP rules Karnataka. Christians awake let us fight for our constitutional rights. Cheer up Mr. Governor, we are with you.

    Pastor E. W. Frank, Pres.
    All India Democratic Christian Council(R), Udupi-576101

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Satish Kunder, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Sun, Feb 06 2011

    I do not understand why Governor should deny Doctorate to Mr. Chidananda Murthy. If the reasons given by Governor is correct then nobody is eligible as every writer have some leanings or other.e.g. Ananth Murthy is known for his left leanings.

    I do not appreciate Governor's action at all. We all kannadigas should condemn this action of Governor

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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