Ramalinga Shetty quits Kannada Sahitya Parishat, blasts leadership.

Pro-Kannada leader, writer & organiser, and opposition leader Ramalinga Shetty today announced his resignation from the post of Honorary Secretary of the Central Kannada Sahitya Parishat (Kassapa), citing autocratic leadership and personal disillusionment with the present administration under Parishat president Mahesh Joshi. Earlier this week, honorary secretary Padmini Nagaraju had also tendered her resignation citing the same atrocities.

In a detailed press statement, Shetty said, “I am stepping down from this sacred institution with a mix of pride and pain. Many literary giants have served in this seat, and I had the honour to work alongside them. But my experience working with Mahesh Joshi has been bitter“. Shetty has alleged that Joshi, instead of being dignified, exhibited arrogance and autocracy. “He should have had self-respect, but he has ego. He should have shown leadership, but he is autocratic“, he said.

Mr. Ramalinga Shetty have revealed that since 2017, he has been sacrificing his personal life and business, even incurring financial losses, to ensure Joshi’s electoral success in the 2021 Kannada Sahitya Parishat elections, backed by thousands of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Karave) activists. “I worked for him out of commitment. Today, I regret that decision“, he said. Stating that nothing in life is permanent, Shetty said he is voluntarily exiting the Kannada literary body’s inner circle but will continue his commitment to Kannada causes. He acknowledged the overwhelming love and support of his community, friends, and colleagues, and extended his gratitude to those who stood by him.

Highlighting his career as a pro-Kannada activist and writer, Shetty recalled his tenure as Vice President of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, including instances of imprisonment during Kannada agitations and multiple legal cases filed against him. As an author, he has penned more than 15 books, including the well-known “Shatamanada Santa” on Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, and “Mannina Maga”, a biography of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

“The Kannada Sahitya Parishat belongs to the people of Karnataka—not to those who use it as a stepping stone. I now leave it to the conscience of the community“, he said.

However, the resignations of both Ramalinga Shetty, and Padmini Nagaraju alleging autocratic atrocities of President Mahesh Joshi have been found to have no impact on the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (Kassapa) – who have entrusted Mr. Mahesh Joshi with the additional responsibility of serving as an organiser of the 87^th. edition of the Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, following the demise of Mandya Zilla Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Ravikumar Chamalapura. It was also decided that Dr. Joshi would oversee the arrangements.

In addition to his leadership role, Dr. Joshi will be part of the Reception Committee, which includes District Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumara and Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Nagaraju.

It was also announced that the office-bearers appointed by Ravikumar Chamalapura will not be in charge of organising the Sammelana. Dr. Mahesh Joshi is expected to form the management and suggestion committees soon. Along with Dr. Joshi, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat former Presidents Prof. B. Jayaprakash Gowda, Dr. H.S. Muddegowda, Meera Shivalingaiah and others are expected to be part of these committees.

Team Maverick