Ballari: In the midst of a growing storm over her invitation to journalist , Vishveshwar Bhat for the silver jubilee function of the Hampi Kannada University, Vice Chancellor prof. Mallika S. Ghanti announced on Wednesday that the event scheduled for February 1 had been cancelled along with the poets' meet on January 31.
While she claimed the two events had been called off as the construction of the silver jubilee commemorative building had still not been completed, the university’s announcement came as a surprise to most as it had already printed invitation cards for the silver jubilee function listing former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and journalist , Vishveshwar Bhat as guests.
"I apologise to the poets who have been invited for the meet as it has been called off," Ms Ghanti said in a press statement, adding that both events would be held once the building was ready.
Ms Ghanti, who calls herself a feminist, has been targeted on social media by activists and feminists for inviting Mr Bhat to the silver jubilee event despite his allegedly disrespectful writings about women.
The Hampi University teachers and research scholars associations too have written to Ms Ghanti opposing the invitation to Mr Bhat. " Vishveshwar Bhat has often disrespected women in his writings and wrote derogatorily about Hampi University's former Vice Chancellor, M M Kalburagi after he was shot dead by some fundamentalists. The university has provoked public anger by inviting Bhat and we too feel humiliated. We register our in principle opposition to the invitation offered to Bhat," said a statement issued by the teaching faculty signed by 20 professors.
Pointing out that Hampi university was known for doing research to help underprivileged women, the research scholars said, "On the contrary, Bhat is known for his anti-women writings,” and
demanded that the university withdraw its invitation to him. The university, however, went ahead with its convocation on Wednesday.
