BENGALURU: Primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar said the government will not purchase writer KS
Bhagawan
’s controversial book, ‘Rama Mandira Eke Beda?’ for government-run libraries as it could ‘hurt’ public sentiments. However, the minister’s decision has been resented by a section of writers and thinkers.
It was listed among the published books to be bought by the government. The book was released first in March 2018 and has seen two editions since.
The book — serial number 4,062 — has not been bought by the government and hasn’t reached libraries in the state, Kumar said.
BJP functionaries had lodged complaints against Bhagawan alleging that the content of the book was ‘derogatory’.
Kumar said hundreds of books are listed for purchase for libraries. Poet and lyricist Doddarange Gowda is the president of the committee which will select the books and after that, funds will be released, he added.
Writer and critic Baragur Ramachandrappa said: “Libraries are where people can read what they want to. Readers can accept or reject the views of Bhagawan which are in the book. But denying them access to books in libraries is not a wise decision,” he said.