Activists urged Siddaramaiah to withdraw from attending the event, citing the author's "Islamophobic, casteist, and misogynistic behaviour".
Published Jul 17, 2023 | 5:17 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 17, 2023 | 5:18 PM
Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah. (Supplied)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah courted controversy on Sunday, 16 July, after he reportedly agreed to release the books of Vishweshwar Bhat, a controversial Kannada editor perceived to profess far right-wing ideology.
Citing the alleged “Islamophobic, casteist, and misogynistic behaviour” of Bhat, several groups and activists urged the chief minister not to attend the event since it would be viewed as Siddaramaiah endorsing the author’s ideologies.
According to the event’s invitation letter, which went viral on social media, Siddaramaiah and other guests would release three volumes of Sampadakara Sathyashodane and a few other books on Saturday, 22 July.
Activist Vinay Sreenivas reminded the Congress of the promise it made in its election manifesto that it would make Karnataka a “Paradise of Peace”.
“People like Vishweshwar Bhat are a direct threat to the secular, social fabric, and disrupt peace and harmony. He does not hesitate to lie and spread fake news. And if the chief minister goes to such an event, what message does it send to the general public? It would be like normalising this type of behaviour,” Sreenivas told South First.
He also tweeted: “Dear @siddaramaiah sir, it is disappointing that you are going as a chief guest for a book release by the hatemonger @VishweshwarBhat. Pls see a sample of his posts in the past. You are endorsing his Islamophobic, casteist and misogynistic behaviour. Pls withdraw ASAP sir. [sic]”
Dear @siddaramaiah sir , it is disappointing that you are going as a chief guest for a book release by the hatemonger @VishweshwarBhat . Pls see a sample of his posts in the past.
You are endorsing his Islamophobic, casteist and misogynistic behaviour.
Pls withdraw ASAP sir. pic.twitter.com/gtlE2vw0km— ವಿನಯ್ ಕೂರಗಾಯಲ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ Vinay K S (@vinaysreeni) July 16, 2023
Sreenivas also referred to Bhat’s column Bhattara Scotch in the Kannada daily Vishwawani to draw attention to the author’s “misogynist” mindset.
In the column, a reader asked Bhat: “When could one say if a village is developed or not?” Bhat’s reply was distasteful: “If the women of the village start wearing a bra, then the village is developed.”
Column of Vishweshwar Bhat in Vishwavani
Filmmaker, entrepreneur, writer, and activist Kavitha Lankesh said Bhat was misogynist and casteist, and was in cahoots with people who were communal.
“What he had written about my late sister Gauri was really in cheap taste. He has written not only about my sister but also about Mamata Banerjee and President Droupadi Murmu,” Kavita told South First.
She added that his writings were anti-woman and anti-secular. She also said that it would not be right on the chief minister’s part to endorse Bhat’s ideology.
Kavitha tweeted: “Poisonous Bhat – Having witnessed these two heinous assassinations and being fully aware of the communal mentality the killers and Vishweshwar Bhat share, how right is it to release Bhat books Mr. Siddaramaiah? How right is it to even share a dais with Vish (poisonous) Bhat Mr. CM? Think Think.”
— KavithaLankesh (@kavithalankesh) July 16, 2023
The headline of an article Bhat wrote on the slain journalist Gauri Lankesh read that instead of dying of a gundu (Kannada word for bullet) if she had died of gundu (which also means alcohol in Kannada), her death would have been single-column news.
Kavitha also shared a screenshot of Bhat’s tweet on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s call for a manch (forum) against the BJP. “If we use the exact translation of mancha in Kannada, this call will give a wrong meaning,” Bhat tweeted. Mancha in Kannada means bed.
Bhat had also drawn flak from many civil society groups when he ridiculed the complexion of President Droupadi Murmu.
On Monday, 17 July, Bhat tweeted his picture with actor Prakash Raj, saying, “Memories never fade! Prakash Raj and I at a book releasing function.”
The actor replied promptly: “Yes, regrettable memories of not knowing the poison within you.”
Yes .. regretable Memories of not knowing the poison within you … ನಿಮ್ಮೊಳಗಿನ ವಿಷ ಅರಿಯದ ..ವಿಷಾದ ಪಡಲೇಬೇಕಾದ ದಿನಗಳು @VishweshwarBhat #justasking https://t.co/GrOjxzMApi
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) July 17, 2023
Raj also requested the chief minister to reconsider attending the book release event.
When contacted, the Chief Minister’s Office said they need to check the protocol before answering.
