Renowned journalist P Sainath returns Basavashree Award conferred to him by Shri Murugha Mutt
Says returning award in solidarity with survivors of alleged sexual abuse by Chief Pontiff of Mutt
Bengaluru: Senior Journalist and Founder-Editor of People’s Archive of Rural India, P Sainath on Friday returned his Basavashree Award conferred to him by the Shir Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga.
In an official statement, Sainath said that he was returning the award in solidarity with the minor girls who have alleged that they were sexually abused by the Chief Pontiff of the Mutt Shri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru.
The Chief Pontiff is facing charges under the POCSO Act after two high school students approached an NGO and explained their ordeal leading to the NGO filing a police complaint against the pontiff.
“No words are strong enough to condemn any such offences against children. In solidarity with the survivors and with the cause of Justice in this case, I hereby return the Basavashree award (and the Rs. 5 lakhs prize money that came with it, by cheque) conferred on me by the Math in 2017.” Sainath said in his statement.
“I would like to record my appreciation of the efforts of the Mysuru-based NGO "OdaNadi" to bring the awful incidents to light and their decades-long fight against social evils. And I appeal to the Karnataka government to pursue the investigation into the scandal vigorously and not allow that to be compromised on any grounds whatsoever.” He further added.
Shri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru was arrested by the cops on Wednesday evening in connection with the case, seven days after the complaint was filed against him. On Friday, the court sent him to police custody till September 5.
He was produced on Friday in a local court, where the police sought five days' custody.
The seer wrapped himself in a white cloth around his saffron attire and was taken in a wheelchair to the court.
Thick security cover was given all over the place right from the hospital, where he was taken after he complained of chest pain, to the court with barricades on key roads along the way.
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Annamalai questions Naxals surrender policy in Karnataka
Udupi (Karnataka), Jan 11: Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has raised concerns over the Naxal surrender and rehabilitation policy in Karnataka, questioning its effectiveness and transparency.
Annamalai, who had served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Udupi between January 2015 and August 2016 and as SP Chikkamagaluru, considered a hotbed of Naxals in Karnataka, in 2018, had convened a press conference in Udupi on Saturday.
According to him, while the policy aims to reintegrate former Naxals into mainstream society, doubts persist regarding its implementation.
He pointed out that surrender and encounter cases have sparked widespread speculation, with many questioning the circumstances under which these events unfolded.
"The recent Naxals surrenders, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, raise several questions. The process, which involves surrenders in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, appears to have been made too easy for Naxals," he said.
Annamalai also questioned the credibility of the surrender process, stating that the government's approach could create doubts about the policy's integrity. He cited the case of Vikram Gowda's encounter, which has triggered concerns among locals.
"There are reports that the Chief Minister himself was involved in the surrender process, and weapons were displayed in a remote forested location. The public is finding it difficult to believe this narrative," he added.
The remarks come amid growing debates on the handling of Naxal issues in Karnataka, with political leaders and activists weighing in on the government's approach to surrender.
Annamalai was in Udupi to launch "Samvidhana Badalayisisddu Yaaru?" (Who changed the Constitution?), authored by Vikas Kumar P, at an event organised by the Citizens for Social Justice today.
Taking to 'X' post the event, Annamalai wrote, "This book highlights the numerous amendments made during the Congress regime, which sought to undermine our citizens' fundamental rights, civic liberties, and even the very meaning of the Preamble."
He had also posted on X that he met today and received blessings from the current Paryaya Swami, His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Sugunendra Theerth Swamiji, of Jagadguru Sri Madhwaachaarya Moola Mahaa Samsthaanam, Shri Puthige Matha, Udupi.
