Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 8: Reacting to controversy raging over the announcement of the annual Dr Kota Shivaram Karanth Huttura Prashasthi being given annually jointly by Kota Shivaram Karanth Trust and Kotathattu gram panchayat, to multi-lingual cine artiste, Prakash Rai, MLC, Kota Srinvas Poojary, who hails from Dr Karanth's v place, clarified that he is neither in the selection committee for the award nor was he involved with the announcement of this award.

Organizations like 'Jai Bhargava', and leaders of Hindu Jagran Vedike, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have voiced their opposiiton to Rai's choice for this award. Many people are opposed to this choice as Prakash Rai had recently linked Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Hindu outfits to noted journalist, Gauri Lankesh's killing.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday October 7, Poojary, by way of clarification to various comments appearing in social media which have blamed him for choosing Rai, dismissed the notion that he has anything to do with the award. "I am pained that my name is being dragged into this controversy unnecessarily. The trust and Kotathattu gram panchayat have been giving this award to dignitaries with significant contributions to various fields, since the last 13 years. About participation in the awards function, I will seek guidance from party leaders," he said.

Poojary said that a five-member committee chooses the dignitaries for awards. The issue has become more complicated because of the fact that BJP-supported members are in majority in Kotathattu gram panchayat. There are some who have said that Rai's choice should not be viewed from what he uttered recently, which they think is his personal view. Leaders of pro-Hindu organizations are up in arms against the choice of Prakash Rai for the award. Bajrang Dal Karnataka southern province joint coordinator, Raghu Sakleshpur, condemned the choice of Rai for the award.

Srinivas Poojary said he is neither in favour of, nor against, the selection of Prakash Rai for the award. He however, said that he is hurt by the reference made by Prakash Rai to the Prime Minister and Sangh Parivar relating to the killing of Gauri Lankesh.