Karantha award to Prakash Raj sparks controversy, organizers firm on their stand
Udupi: The selection of renowned actor Prakash Raj to receive the Dr Shivram Karantha Huttura Prashasthi has sparked controversy. Prakash has been subjected to public ire after his comments on PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath following Gauri Lankesh murder. A section of the social media has said that Prakash should not be given the Karanth Huttura Prashasthi for his controversial statements. While many others in the social media have defended Raj’s selection for the Karanth Huttura Prashasthi. Many associations have warned the organizers of displaying black flags as a mark of protest if Raj is given the award.
The social media has highlighted that Karnath was vocal in raising his voice against the wrongdoings in the society and Prakash Raj has no credentials to get the award. The social media has also questioned Prakash Raj’s silence on Cauvery, Kasturirangan Report Implementation and Nethravati river project, his selection for the award is absurd said many in the social media.
The Facebook post by Ajith S Shetty Kiradi said that a person who makes controversial statements shouldn’t be given the award, and it would be an insult to ‘Karanthajja’. Raj had recently made an unflattering comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
If the committee goes ahead with its decision, the Jai Bhargava Balaga and like-minded organizations would gherao the venue in Udupi and display black flags, Ajith warned. BJP leaders distanced themselves from the controversy, saying none from the party opposed giving the award to Raj.
Rai is not an eligible candidate for the award. “Karanth’s entire life was dedicated to Karnataka and Prakash Raj’s contribution to Karnataka is zero. I am not speaking in support of any party, I am just criticizing Rai’s eligibility. He keeps targeting the Centre for Gauri Lankesh’s murder, which is a failure of the state government.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said that an actor who wants to return his awards shouldn’t accept any. “He is very good actor…but nowadays his ideologies support the Left, and that is not in line with what people think today. An actor who says he wants to return his award should not accept an award – this is my personal opinion,” he said.
The organizers have remained firm on their stand on giving the award to Prakash Raj. Organiser and President of Kotatattu Gram Panchayat has said that Prakash Raj will be given Dr Shivram Karanth Huttura Prashasthi. There shouldn’t be unnecessary opposition for giving the award to Prakash Raj. He has all the necessary credentials to receive the award. The award has been given for 13 years and this time it will be given to Prakash Raj. There is no connection to his personal comments and to the award given to him. The award will be given on October 10 at 6:00 pm, he added.
The 5 member panel was formed to select the person for the Karanth Huttura Prashasthi. The panel selected Prakash Raj. The name of Karanth should not be mixed up with any controversies. There is no need to politicize the award.
The member trustee of Karanth Theme Park MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary said that he has no role in the selection of Prakash Raj to receive the award. “I will discuss with the BJP leaders on attending the award ceremony”, he added.
Kota Block Congress President Shanker Kunder said that the protests against giving Karanth Huttura Prashasti reflect the murder of freedom of speech and expression. The individual comments are not to be taken into consideration while giving awards. The words of the protesters say that by giving the award to former Chief Minister Veerappa Moily it has lost its importance just reflect their mindsets, he added.
The multilingual actor Prakash Raj, originally from Puttur, has proven his acting efficiency in Bollywood and films from all South Indian languages. Besides directing outstanding movies, he has also worked with renowned filmmakers in over 300 films. He has also won a National Award in 1998.
Personalities like Veerappa Moily, Venkatachalam, K Ramkrishna Hande, Ravi Belegere, Girish Kasarvalli, Jayashree, Mohan Alva, Salumarada Thimmakka, Chittani Ramachandra Hedge, Jayanth Kaikin, Sadananda Suvarna, Dr B M Hegde are among others who had received the award earlier.
The Police Department held a meeting at the Kota Police Station and has beefed up security.
