Bhagwan's presence turns Bhagat Singh event venue into fortress
Bengaluru, September 29, 2015, DHNS:
Unprecedented security arrangements marked Bhagat Singh’s 109th birth anniversary celebration at the Central College on Monday.
In an unheard-of experience for a retired academician, Prof K S Bhagwan, who has been in the eye of the storm for his controversial views on the Gita and on Hindutva in general, took part in the event amidst tight security.
Presenting an ironical picture of the occasion, the police had to hold the fort while students rendered songs in praise of the leader's revolutionary ideas.
A metal detector was placed at the entrance of the Senate Hall where the event was held and each visitor was video recorded. Police officials escorted the professor throughout the event, tracking every move.
There has also been widespread opposition to him being named for the Kannada Sahitya Academy award. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the event, Bhagwan said he had been writing about these ideas for the last three decades.
“If you do not like what I am saying, if you think what I am saying is wrong and what I have perceived is wrong, my works are publicly available. You can read them and present your opinions. If you think my opinions and my criticisms are not right, you can reject them. I welcome criticism,” he said.
When asked about appearing for a debate on his views on television, he said there was no necessity for it. “My books are there. I have written in them everything I wanted to say. Writing is more authentic than speaking,” he stated. Further, he said he was honoured that the Kannada Sahitya Academy chose him for the award.
“Several senior and acclaimed poets and authors have appreciated my work. Some people are opposing it only for political reasons. I have said nothing that is unconstitutional,” he added. As part of his address to the students, he called upon them to stand against casteist and sectarian practices.
“True patriotism is when you accept everyone in your country. It is not merely praying to India’s map. Casteism is the most unreasonable and unrealistic system. This country will not progress as long as there is casteism,” he said.
As for the threat calls he had been receiving earlier, Prof Bhagwan said the calls had stopped once the police started investigating the matter.
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