DHNS

Mysore, Jan 30: Vociferous supporters of Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna hailing fromMysore, Mandya and Maddur, on Monday stalled the release of Halli Hakkiya Haadu,an autobiography of former minister HVishwanath,here on Monday.

The former Karnataka chief minister’s followers were furious over the book’s alleged references to their leader’s personal life and his relationship with yesteryear film actress B Saroja Devi.

Gathering at the venue a good hour before the scheduled release of the book, the protesters shouted slogans against Vishwanath. The protest is believed to have been “managed” by former Congress minister D K Shivakumar.

Just as litterateur U R Ananthamurthywho was to release the book arrived at thevenue, the protesters mobbed him and appealed to him to refrain from releasing the book. Ananthamurthy had to be escorted into the auditorium by about six-seven policemen. All entry doors were sealed soon after, sending the protesters berserk. They smashed plant pots at the venue,forcing the police to use mild force to disperse them.

Writer stays away

Vishwanath did not make it to the venue,as police advised him against it.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Srinivas Prasad sought to pacify the protesters and advised Ananthamurthy against releasing the book.The latter agreed.

Ananthamurthy criticised Vishwanath for having “innocently”stated certain facts about Krishna’s private life. “This should not have been done since it involved the dignity of a lady — Saroja Devi.” Criticising a private news channel for using wrong excerpts from the book to “sensationalise” news, Ananthamurthy said the protesters should wage a battle against increasing insensitivity of media.

Bangalore: Maharashtra may Sue Tabloid 

Sources close to Mr S M Krishna said the Maharashtra government might file a defamation case against an English tabloid which on Monday published a morphed photo of Krishna with Saroja Devi.

They said the case will be only against the photo and not the accompanying story.

Krishna’s office said he has decided not to offer anycomments on the developments.

According to Ms Prema, wife of Krishna, SarojaDevi’s mother had contacted Krishna’s mother 55years ago seeking his alliance for her daughter. For some reasons, it did not work out. Prema knew about it well before the marriage,sources said.

Saroja Devi, however, remained incommunicado to the media.

However, a tabloid quoted Saroja Devi as saying she was offered a Congress ticket in 1987 and not in 2004. However, Krishna had no role to play in it.

Vishwanath defence

Former Minister H Vishwanath,who did not go to the book release function, defended the book’s contents.

He said, “When we write about our personal life, we write about people whom we meet in life. So I have written about Krishna. What have I written about Krishna and Saroja Devi?Nothing... People are commenting without reading the book.I have just recalled certain incidents. I have written about people who mattered to me most at one point of time in my life.The media is reading too much into what I have written about Krishna.” On whether he would clarify his stand to Krishna, he said,“I will clarify only if he calls. I will not call him on my own.”Has the book been released to “embarrass” Krishna when he is planningto return to Karnataka’s politics? Vishwanath retorted: “It’s just a coincidence. The book isn’t about Krishna.”