Bengaluru: Rationalist and Kannada writer Prof K S Bhagwan while thanking those who have asked him to withdraw his name from the Kannada Sahitya Academy’s lifetime achievement award said, “They have given me more publicity for my work by opposing the award.”
Speaking at former chief minister Devraj Urs’ centenary programme organised by Kannada Kriya Samithi, here in the city, Bhagwan clarified by saying, “I am not against Hinduism but only against caste system. Rama is only a human and this has been accepted in Valmiki’s Ramayana. It is also said that he was against backward classes and women’s rights.”
“People say that there were 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu including Buddha. But the people chased Buddha out of India because he questioned the Vedas. Babasaheb Ambedkar has studied all and has carefully drafted the constitution. Therefore now, people should look for Bheemarajya and not Ramarajya.” he added.
While commenting on FIRs being filed against him by right wing activists he said that he is not scared of any case.
“People also have asked the academy to take back the award but once the award is given, the academy will not reverse its decision. Self appointed custodians of religions do not know much. The real fact is that they are for the caste system, and hence injustice and social inequalities. The policy should change to not consider religion at all government levels. If not the reservation system should continue,” he said.
The writer also said that his phone was taken away by the police for verification of call details as he had received numerous threats. “The government has given protection and there is no problem with security”, he added.
