People pay respects to scholar Kalburgi who was shot dead on Sunday

August 31, 2015 09:53

Hundreds of people on Monday paid their last respects to the mortal remains of former vice-chancellor of Hampi University, MM Kalburgi, who was shot dead at his Kalyanagar residence yesterday by unidentified gunmen.

Kalburgi, who had won the central and state "Sahitya Akademi" awards, had often stirred a hornet's nest with his remarks on various issues, including opposing idol worship and suggesting the need for a better state anthem.

Part of his works on "Vachana"(verses) "literature had also come under criticism of the state's majority "veerashaiva" (Lingayat) community, a liberal Shaivism founded by 12th century philosopher, poet and social reformer Basaveshwara.

Kalburgi had raised the hackles of some right-wing outfits like VHP and Bajrang Dal when he had made certain remarks about idol worship by Hindus that were considered "derogatory" and "blasphemous" by them.

He was also a noted epigraphist and won several awards at the state level.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

4 killed in Mumbai hoarding collapse, 65 injured

Personnel of the fire brigade and police rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation, he said.

England's IPL exodus: Livingstone, Buttler leave for T20 WC

PBKS' Livingstone returns to England to address knee niggle ahead of T20 WC

Rains, gusty winds cause chaos in Mumbai; flights, trains, metro hit

Owing the sudden rains, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji international airport too announced a temporary suspension of flights. While incoming flights have been diverted to other destinations like Goa and Ahmedabad, outgoing flights have...

Phase 4: Over 62% turnout till 5 pm amid violence in Andhra, Bengal

A voter turnout of over 40 per cent was recorded till 1 pm on Monday in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections in 96 constituencies spread over 10 states and Union Territories amid incidents of violence in Andhra Pradesh and reports of...

'Focus on Test cricket, not T20 leagues'

Vengsarkar urges young players to target playing Test cricket