Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Feb 4: State Governor, H R Bhardwaj, withdrew the name of veteran Kannada writer, historian and researcher, Dr M Chidananda Murthy, from the list of persons on whom honorary doctorates were proposed to be conferred by Bangalore University, at the last minute. It is learnt that the Governor took this sudden step, because of pressure brought on him by various quarters.

At the 46th convocation of the said university, names of renowned Kannada poet, Prof K S Nissar Ahmed, Dr Chidananda Murthy, and well-known artist, B K Verma, were cleared for being honoured with honorary doctorates. A proposal towards this end had been approved by the Governor, who happens to be the chancellor of the university.

It is learnt that the name of the stalwart was withdrawn, after pressure mounted on the Governor to do so. Through a communiqué issued to the university from the Governor’s office, the university was asked to give doctorates only to Prof Nissar Ahmed and B K S Verma.

It is gathered that a number of persons had exerted pressure on the Governor to withdraw the name of Murthy, claiming that he is from Sangh Parivar background, and that his activities were limited to advocating Hindutva principles. As they drove home the point that it was not right to confer doctorate on a person of this background, it is gathered, the Governor decided to withhold Murthy’s name.