Named after the Gods, a rationalist ‘deconstructs’ the myth

Bengaluru: After the August 30th assassination of Prof M.M. Kalburgi, the man who tops the hate-list of the state's right-wing conservatives is a controversial retired English professor from Mysuru. But if you expected Prof. K.S. Bhagawan - a rationalist who is ironically named for God - to be cowering in fright, think again! “I will fight superstition in the Hindu community,” said the former professor from Maharaja College Mysuru. “I have never been worried over such death threats. I have been attacked for over four decades. It didn’t stop me then, it won’t stop me now,” he said, unfazed.

He had received death threats from right wing fringe elements including the Bajrang Dal, days after Prof M.M. Kalburgi was gunned down. Prof Bhagawan, who has been accorded police protection since the uproar in right-wing circles who have dubbed him anti-Hindu after he was awarded the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi lifetime achievement award, said: “the Indian constitution prescribes every citizen can practice and propagate scientific spirit. I am only dispensing my duty as an Indian citizen by highlighting the dogmatic ideas that are in the Gita and the Ramayana.”

As for burning the Bhagwad Gita, he said it was “an act of protest” against “portions of texts that are regressive.” Revealing that it was he who had recommended to CM Siddaramaiah to carry out social engineering to bring AHINDA communities together - which, he claimed, helped Siddaramaiah to come to power - he also candidly admitted his knowledge of Sanskrit in which the sacred texts were written was poor.

A year after Prof K.S. Bhagawan, a retired professor of English from Mysuru, made a shocking statement that he would burn copies of Bhagavad Gita, he continues to court controversies by condemning Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and saint-philosopher Adi Shankara. His selection for Karnataka Sahitya Academy’s lifetime achievement award this year has triggered protests by more than 10,000 literary enthusiasts. During an interview with Deccan Chronicle, however, Prof Bhagawan was courteous and soft-spoken, explaining his point of view. First, he said he developed the deconstruction theory to understand a text by going to the linguistic roots of words. Later, while speaking about Bhagavad Gita, he admitted his limited knowledge of Sanskrit.

Excerpts:

I am curious. Who named you Bhagawan?

It is Gautam Buddha's name. At home I was called ‘Maguve’ (child) and other such names. When I joined school, my elder brothers mentioned the name Bhagawan in school records,

How do we introduce you to non-Kannadigas?

In the last 120 years, there was none who translated the works of Shakespeare as effectively as I did. It was not mere translation. It’s transcreation, recreating his world in Kannada. I wrote a lot of books on rationality and religious studies. Last year, I published a book Bharatada Besayagararella Baudharu (All Indian farmers are Buddhists).

You claimed you developed deconstruction theory in mid-seventies which was not challenged. Could you elaborate?

In a nutshell, you understand the language, go to the root of word and derive meaning. This helped to understand the meaning the way it is.

You went to Mysuru University to pursue PhD. You did not complete it. Was it not wrong?

No, I taught students there. I did my job.

You got funds, went on long leave to complete PhD but you did not submit the thesis. Was it not unethical?

If you think it is unethical, so be it. So what? What you said was right. But the fault was not mine. You have to ask my guides. The guides came and went, so I could not complete my
PhD.

Was it co-incidence or intentional that you started making radical statements after Mr Siddaramaiah took over as Chief Minsiter?

No. It was wrong. I have been raising these issues for several decades.

Will it (your act and making comments) hurt the image of your friend Mr Siddaramaiah?

No. why? We have been close friends for over three decades. He knows me. He is committed to social justice. I have not done anything which can damage his image. It was me who suggested to him to focus on AHINDA which constitutes over 80 per cent of total population. He did it successfully and won the post.

After Mr Siddaramaiah came to power, you tried very hard to get the chairman post of Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati. You lost a chance. Since then you have been doing this to get a post by attracting the attention of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Yes, I tried to get that post. It did not come through. That’s perfectly alright. My statements or my fight against dogma are not linked to securing any post.

You are making controversial statements to gain publicity. Are you happy?

(Laughs) The media always portrayed me in bad light. They had vested interests. They did not give me justice.

There was a time when centenarian and writer, De. Javare Gowda called you the modern Shakespeare of Kannada. Later, both of you fell out after you were denied the Hampi University vice chancellor’s post?

(agitated) It was I who got him Pampa award. He acknowledged it. I went and asked his help when the vice chancellor’s post fell vacant. He said he would certainly recommend my name, but later he ditched me. So, I kept myself away from him.

You claim you are a very good researcher. You said your comments on Gita, Ramayana and other texts are based on solid material. Have you mastered Sanskrit to understand these epics?

I know a little bit of Sanksrit.

Then how can you hurt the sentiments of the faithful?

No, I have not hurt any one’s sentiments. It is they, Shankaracharya, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama who hurt the sentiments of the oppressed classes. Then, how does the question of me hurting sentiments of Hindus arise?

Then, aren't you doing injustice to research? How can you analyse them without knowing the texts?

Arrey....If I was wrong someone would have told me. Till date, no one dared counter me.

Perhaps it might be like this: a tenth grade student arguing with a Nobel laureate. Do you think that a Nobel laureate will argue with a boy?

I do not agree. I always support my argument with solid logic. I have strong material to back. So, I am not against the dialogue. If any one had any issues, they would have come forward.

You bully others?

No. I am more receptive and accommodative. I have a large heart.

Over 10,000 people signed the petition seeking withdrawal of Karnataka Sahitya Academy award. What is your reaction?

How are they concerned with this. The jury, comprising scholars and poets, considered my work. I think it should be left to the jury. It is not an issue to be decided by the public.

You know this great fighter against superstition, the late Dr H. Narasimhaiah. He was very constructive in his approach. Don't you feel you are diametrically opposite to him and come no way close to him?

I should tell you, Dr Narasimhaiah once said Bhagawan is miles ahead of me in knowledge and in this work (fighting superstition).

Now that you crossed seventy, does your family ask you to pause?

No. They are very supportive