Kannada Sahitya Parishat’s demand for Lokayukta probe deserves government attention

 The controversy surrounding the Kannada Sahitya Parishat and the Siddaramaiah government refuses to subside. What began as a difference of opinion has now grown into a full-blown conflict over the very autonomy and dignity of a century-old cultural institution. At its core lies a battle for ownership — who really represents the voice of Kannada and its literary identity?

The recent Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at Mandya became the flashpoint. Traditionally, such conferences are organised by the Parishat. This time, however, the state government virtually took over the event, hosting it in the name of the Parishat but without involving its elected president, Mahesh Joshi. The decision to exclude him was seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine the institution’s authority. By doing so, the government not only interfered with the internal autonomy of the Parishat but also politicised a cultural event that should have remained above party interests.

But this is not merely a matter of institutional pride — it has a financial and moral dimension too. The government reportedly spent around ₹30 crore on the Mandya Sammelana. The common belief, however, is that barely ten per cent of that amount was actually spent on organising the conference, while the rest was allegedly misappropriated by local political networks led by Minister Cheluvarayaswamy.

In contrast, the Parishat has shown readiness to submit its own accounts for scrutiny, while the government’s expenditure remains opaque. The state’s decision to appoint a committee to investigate alleged irregularities within the Parishat — even as it refuses to account for its own spending — has exposed its double standards. If transparency is the principle, it must apply to both sides.

In this light, the Parishat’s demand for a Lokayukta inquiry is entirely reasonable. Public money deserves public accountability. At a time when the government complains of a financial crunch, the use — or misuse — of ₹30 crore cannot be brushed aside as a minor issue. Truth and transparency are not optional virtues; they are the foundation of public trust.

If the government chooses to ignore the Parishat’s demand, the latter will be justified in moving the courts. Seeking judicial intervention should not be seen as an act of rebellion but as a legitimate, democratic response to state overreach.

The Kannada Sahitya Parishat is not just another organisation — it is the cultural conscience of Karnataka, representing the aspirations of Kannada writers and readers alike. Protecting its autonomy is as vital as protecting the freedom of expression itself.

Ultimately, a government that seeks to suppress or bypass cultural institutions risks losing moral credibility. The Siddaramaiah administration has an opportunity here — to prove that it values transparency over political convenience. For the sake of Kannada, for the sake of fairness, and for the sake of its own reputation, it must allow the truth about the Mandya Sammelana funds to come out in the open.

A government that reveals the truth earns respect; one that hides it only breeds distrust.