Writers, activists condemn cancellation of Deepa Bhasthi’s lecture at Karnataka Central University

A group of writers, civil society activists, and academics have strongly criticised the Central University of Karnataka (CUK), Kalaburagi, for cancelling a proposed special lecture by translator Deepa Bhasthi, calling the move arbitrary and ideologically motivated.

In a media statement released in Kalaburagi on Saturday, the signatories said the university had invited Ms. Bhasthi for a special lecture and completed all preparatory arrangements, only to cancel the programme at the last minute citing “technical reasons”. They alleged that the real reason was her translation work involving a Muslim woman writer, which they described as a “hidden” and unjustifiable consideration.

Ms. Bhasthi is an internationally recognised writer and translator whose English translation of Kannada author Banu Mushtaq’s short story collection won the Booker Prize, bringing global recognition to Kannada literature. The statement noted that she has been invited to several countries for literary engagements and regularly interacts with young writers and students through workshops and discussions.

The signatories said students of the Humanities Department had prepared extensively for the interaction. They alleged that the abrupt cancellation had dampened students’ enthusiasm and undermined the academic atmosphere of the institution.

Describing the episode as evidence of declining academic standards, the group alleged that communal and sectarian attitudes had begun influencing decisions within the university. They asserted that Ms. Bhasthi was neither a controversial figure nor affiliated with any ideological organisation, and accused authorities of yielding to “intolerant” and “authoritarian” thinking.

The statement also expressed disappointment over what it termed the silence of the university’s academic community in the face of the decision, and demanded that those responsible for, what they described, as the erosion of the university’s academic dignity be identified and removed.

The statement was signed by R.K. Hudagi, Kashinath Ambalagi, Meenakshi Bali, Datta Ikkalaki, Prabhu Khanapure, Maruti Gokhale, Kodandarama, Mehraj Patel, Shreeshail Gooli, Khemanna Aldi and Bhimashankar Biradar.