ಪಿ ಸಾಯಿನಾಥ್ ರಿಂದ ಮುರುಘಾ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ವಾಪಸ್

ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಹಿಂದಿರಿಗಿಸುವಾಗ ಅವರು ಬರೆದ ಪತ್ರ ಹೀಗಿದೆ.

I am most disturbed to learn from media reports of the appalling developments involving the pontiff of the Shri Murughamath in Chitradurga, Shri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru. He now faces a case and charges under the POCSO and SC/ST act for alleged sexual abuse of children, specifically high school girls. No words are strong enough to condemn any such offences against children.

In solidarity with the​ survivors and with the cause of Justice in this case, I hereby return the Basavashree award (and the Rs. 5 lakhs prize money that came with it, by cheque) conferred on me by the Math in 2017.

I would like to record my appreciation of the efforts of the Mysuru-based NGO “OdaNadi” to bring the awful incidents to light and their decades-long fight against social evils. And I appeal to the Karnataka government to pursue the investigation into the scandal vigorously and not allow that to be compromised on any grounds whatsoever.

P. Sainath

Journalist

Founder-Editor

People’s Archive of Rural India