Progressive groups in Mandya are demanding the inclusion of non-vegetarian food in the Sammelana's menu and a symposium on Tipu Sultan.
Published Dec 10, 2024 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 10, 2024 | 8:00 AM
A section of people are carrying out online drive appealing the Kannada Sahitya Parishat to include meat in their food menu. (@byrappa_harish)
The run-up to the 87th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana is witnessing a heated debate over food and a symposium on Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore.
While a few progressive groups in Mandya—where the literary conference will be held from 20 to 22 December—are demanding the inclusion of local culinary diversity — mainly non-vegetarian food — and the region’s historical significance, others are arguing for maintaining the longstanding tradition of serving vegetarian only meals at the event.
The symposium on Tipu Sultan has been mooted considering the historical and cultural significance of Srirangapatna, now a part of the Mandya district.
As the event, headed by the newly appointed president, writer GR Channabasappa, draws closer, organisers are caught amid these cultural and political discussions.
The Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) is said to be against serving meat and holding a symposium on Tipu Sultan during the Sammelana.
The Minister in charge of the district N Cheluvarayswamy and the district administration have assured the progressive groups to look into the demands.
“Our demand is simple. The organisers should serve non-vegetarian food alongside vegetarian options at the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana,” Mandya District Progressive Organisations Union member Krishnegowda told South First. “For many years, religious ideologies have created a narrative that vegetarians are superior and non-vegetarians are inferior.”
“The conflict between Kannada literary heritage and religious ideologies has been ongoing. Unfortunately, religious ideologies have dominated issues like food and attire. At the 87th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, these religious perspectives are planning to maintain this tradition,” he accused.
He further stated: “We are progressive thinkers, and we respect all food cultures, including vegetarian. Our demand is, the KSP should offer meat along with vegetarian food during the three-day event. Let them serve both eggs and meat alongside pulses and vegetables.”
೮೭ನೇ ಅಖಿಲ ಭಾರತ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಡೂಟ ಬಾಡಿಲ್ಲದ ಊಟ ಎರಡು ಇರಲಿ.@kannadaparishat @sstangadagi @CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/jhyUFkq5i6
— ಭೈರಪ್ಪ ಹರೀಶ್ ಕುಮಾರ್(B Harish Kumar) (@byrappa_harish) December 7, 2024
“The organisers must provide both options so that people can choose what to eat. Who are they to decide that only vegetarian food should be served at the Sammelana? Why should such a practice continue?” he asked.
When asked whether similar attempts had been made in the past to introduce non-vegetarian food at the Sammelana, he responded: “We are not concerned with past events. This event is being organised in Mandya, and the people of Mandya are the ones organising it.”
“If people are coming to Mandya, enjoying non-vegetarian food is likely high on their list. They are not coming here for rice, sambar, and jamun. Mandya is known for its delicious non-vegetarian dishes,” he pointed out.
“When such events are held in Vijayapura or other North Karnataka districts, don’t we enjoy their local foods, such as jowar roti? As the Sammelana is taking place in Mandya, let the organisers introduce the famous local chicken curry and ragi balls,” he said.
“We are not asking the organisers to provide non-vegetarian food on all three days. It depends on their budget. But at least once or twice, we expect non-vegetarian fare to be included in the menu. We want to challenge the dominance of dogmatic thinking by serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, sending a message of food equality,” Krishnegowda added.
The organisers have submitted a memorandum to Minister Cheluvarayswamy, Deputy Commissioner Dr Kumar, KSP President Mahesh Joshi, and other stakeholders on the matter.
Criticising KSP President Joshi, Krishnegowda said, “In the notification for setting up stalls at the Sammelana, the KSP has banned non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and tobacco. This reflects his vile mindset.”
“Equating non-vegetarian food with alcohol and tobacco is absurd. While we acknowledge the harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco, associating non-vegetarian food with them shows a dogmatic thought process. We oppose this comparison and have ensured its removal from the KSP official website.”
“If the organisers refuse to serve non-vegetarian food, we will crowdsource funds from villages to ensure that meat is served at the Sammelana in Mandya,” Krishnegowda said.
People condemned the Kannada Sahitya Parishat equating meat to alcohol and tobacco. (Supplied)
Writer Nagaraj RJ told South First: “The uproar over including meat in the food menu at the Sammelana is entirely due to KSP President Joshi. If he hadn’t imposed restrictions on non-vegetarian food for those setting up stalls, this wouldn’t have become a major issue.”
“The registration process for stalls is already complete. KSP’s decision to ban or restrict non-veg for stall keepers is bound to create a significant conflict in the coming days. This move is unacceptable, especially in Mandya,” he remarked.
“Why are they imposing restrictions on non-vegetarian eaters? They should have allowed people to follow their food preferences instead of enforcing such limitations,” Nagaraj criticised the KSP.
The progressive organisations are also demanding to hold a symposium on Tipu Sultan.
Pointing out that Srirangapatana was the capital city of the Kingdom of Mysore during Tipu’s rule, the progressive thinkers, writers, and activists are demanding the KSP to organise a symposium on Tipu Sultan.
“A month ago, I urged the KSP to consider organising a symposium on Tipu Sultan. Given that Srirangapatna is now part of Mandya, it wouldn’t have been inappropriate to hold a conference on Tipu. They missed an opportunity to do so,” writer Nagaraj told South First.
“There is documented evidence, such as Tipu’s letter to the Sringeri Peetha written in Kannada. A symposium on Tipu Sultan would have been a meaningful addition,” Nagaraj said, blaming KSP President Joshi for not considering the proposal.
Karunadu Sevkaru Sangatane’s Mysuru wing chief MD Naganna Gowda, too, supported a symposium on Tipu Sultan. “Ignoring the idea of a symposium on Tipu Sultan simply because he was Muslim is wrong. Tipu is a part of Kannada’s history and culture,” he opined.
“The positive and negative aspects are secondary. The KSP should have at least shown an interest in presenting the facts. In ancient times, rulers often expanded their territories through wars—it was a common practice, and there might be some controversies,” he added.
“We do not claim that everything Tipu did was right, but at least there should have been a platform to discuss it. The opposition to a symposium on Tipu reflects the mindset of the organisers. We are hopeful that the KSP will reconsider their stance on the matter,” Naganna Gowda added.
Amid growing demands for changes to the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana menu, the government has promised to look into the request for including non-vegetarian food.
“The menu for the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana has already been decided in consultation with the district in-charge minister, MLAs, and members of the KSP,” Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr Kumar told South First.
“The committee has finalised a vegetarian menu. However, I have received memoranda from some individuals demanding the inclusion of meat during the Sammelana. We will present this request to the committee and make a decision accordingly,” he added.
Kumar also pointed out that there is no historical precedent of organisers serving non-vegetarian food at the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.
When asked about the absence of a symposium on Tipu Sultan, Kumar stated, “The symposiums and subjects are solely decided by the KSP. Neither the district administration nor any other entity has a say in this. I would not like to comment further on it.”
Minister Cheluvarayswamy told South First that he “will hold discussions with the stakeholders and take an appropriate decision”.
KSP President Mahesh Joshi and Secretary Padmini Nagaraj did not respond to calls or messages.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
