Writers call for appointment of administrator to Kannada Sahitya Parishat

The Hindu

20-06-2025

Prominent Kannada writer S.G. Siddaramaiah demanded that the State government immediately appoint an administrator to the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP), citing financial irregularities and an authoritarian style of functioning by its president, Mahesh Joshi.
Addressing a press conference organised by the Kannada Naadu Nudi Jagruti Samiti at the Patrika Bhavan in Ballari on Friday, Mr. Siddaramaiah expressed deep concern for the Kannada literary institution under Mr. Joshi.
'Since Mr. Joshi assumed office, the autonomous character of the parishat has been undermined. Instead of promoting a healthy cultural atmosphere, he has created a climate of hostility, mismanagement, and repression,' he said.
He accused the president of failing to maintain transparency by not disclosing financial statements related to the Kannada Sahitya Sammelans held in Haveri and Mandya that were funded by taxpayers' money.
'Mr. Joshi has taken a unilateral and arbitrary approach and even attempted to alter the Parishat's bylaws. Literary conventions should serve as platforms for art, literature and culture not for political propaganda,' Siddaramaiah said.
Welcoming the upcoming 88th Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Ballari, he urged that the event must avoid unnecessary expenditure.
'There are clear signs of financial mismanagement under Mr. Joshi's leadership. The government should intervene, appoint an administrator, and conduct a thorough audit. If irregularities are confirmed, he must be removed from the post; if not, appropriate measures may be taken to continue his tenure,' he said.
Jayaprakash Gowda, president of the Karnataka Sangha, Mandya, clarified that the protest was not against the parishat but against the individual at its helm. He alleged that 20 amendments to the parishat's proposed bylaw revisions were designed to centralise authority, marginalising district and taluk bodies to consolidate control.
'As sum of ₹30 crore was granted by the government for the Mandya Sahitya Sammelan, of which Kannada Sahitya Parishat received ₹2.5 crore for which Joshi has yet to provide a proper account. The 2023–24 annual report and auditor's findings already highlight irregularities in membership records, development works, and building renovations,' he noted.
'In the 108-year history of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, no one has ever claimed daily travel allowances for their literary service. However, Mr. Joshi has claimed a total annual expenditure of ₹22 lakh under travel and related allowances. Recent literary conventions in the State have become increasingly extravagant, reduced merely to food, snacks, and festivity. By conducting these events in an arbitrary and self-serving manner, Mr. Joshi is displaying an authoritarian approach, and the protest against him will now be intensified,' he added.
Writer Vasundhara Bhoopathi condemned Mr. Joshi's alleged harassment of office staff and pointed out the unprecedented postponement of the annual general body meeting scheduled in Sandur.
Meera Shivalingayya, convenor of the Mandya Sahitya Sammelan, expressed deep disappointment over Mr. Joshi's conduct at the event and declared that statewide protests would continue against his authoritarian tendencies.
Sunanda Jayaram of the Women Farmers' Association and Janagere Venkataramaiah also spoke at the press meet.
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