Karnataka: Muslim fruit vendor, whose shop was vandalised, invited to inaugurate mela

HUBBALLI: Nabisab Killedar, the fruit vendor whose shop at Nuggikeri temple in Dharwad was vandalised by members of a fringe proHindu group, has been invited to inaugurate the 8th May Sahitya Mela (MSM) to b e held on May 27 and 28 at Taj Palace, Davangere.
Besides Nabisab, a farmer, a woman beedi worker and a woman pourakarmik a have been invited to the inauguration of the event.The aim is to promote harmony in society and to condemn recent attacks on minorities. In the past two years, the mela was held online due to the pandemic but returns as a regular event this year.
Basavaraj Sulibhavi and B Srinivasa, organisers, said several organisations like Ladai Prakashana, Kavi Prakashana Kavalakki, Chittaara Kala Balaga Dharwad and MSM Balaga Davangere are involved in conducting the mela.
“Recent incidents like the attack on a Muslim vendor in Dharwad have spoiled communal harmony in the state,” the organisers said. “To spread the message of communal harmony, we have invited people from different communities and all walks of life. They represent affected and downtrodden communities. ”
Heggere Rangappa and Sanaulla Navilehal, who are also involved in organizing the event, said “like-minded” activists, writers, artists and organisations will foot the bill for the two-day event, estimated at Rs 4-5 lakh.
“We have invited Justice K Chandru, former judge of Madras high court; Sudheendra Kulkarni, former strategist for LK Advani and Kavita Krishnan, secretary, All India Progressive Women’s Association, Delhi among others,” they said.
Veteran novelist Kum Veerabhadrappa and poet Moodnakudu Chinnaswamy will speak at the valedictory function and awards will be presented to various achievers. “Rather than an event, we hope to make MSM a movement of new literature on the principle of literary principle for society,” they said.