Kannada Language Chair at JNU in Delhi has been languishing without a head for the past one year

Without a head for the past one year, academic activities have come to a standstill at the Kannada Language Chair in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi.

Purushottama Bilimale, Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) and former head of the Chair, has written to the Chancellor of JNU requesting immediate appointment of the head.

Purushottama Bilimale was the first head of the Kannada Language Chair at JNU. At present, he is Chairman of Kannada Development Authority (KDA). | Photo Credit: File photo

In his letter, Mr. Bilimale wrote, “Within a short span of a few years, the Kannada Chair has worked exceptionally to promote excellence in basic language teaching, researching and publishing on language, literature and culture of Karnataka in all its multi-lingual and plural manifestations. The Chair encouraged comparative studies across a wide range of domains and also aimed at disseminating knowledge of Kannada language, literature and culture both at national and international levels. The Chair has developed a research library, which has more than 5,000 books. The Kannada Development Authority, Government of Karnataka, is very keen to support the activities of the Kannada Language Chair. We also were working on your request for more grants to the Chair.

“Meanwhile, we understand that currently nobody is there to continue the activities of the Chair. Hence, I am writing to request you to make an appropriate arrangement for appointing a suitable person, so that the activities of Kannada Chair will continue uninterrupted.”

History of the Chair

In July 2015, the Kannada Culture Department of the State Government entered into an agreement with the JNU to establish a Kannada Language Chair with the help of an annual grant of ₹42 lakh.

As the first head of the Chair, Prof. Bilimale served till 2020 before retiring from service. Later, JNU appointed Prof. Vishwanath of Mysore University to the post. Prof. Vishwanath, who served for three years, returned to Mysore University in August 2023. Since then, the Chair has been vacant.

Junior assistant is in charge

At present, Vishwanath Munna Nayak, a native of Kalaburagi, who was appointed as a junior project assistant in 2015, is working in the Chair. However, no academic activities are taking place due to the absence of a head.

“I appointed Vishwanath Munna Nayak when I was the head of the Chair. His term ended on June 13, 2024. On the same day, I assumed office as Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority. I wrote to the Vice-Chancellor of JNU requesting to extend the term of Vishwanath Munna Nayak. Agreeing to our request, Vishwanath’s service has been extended till December,” said Prof. Bilimale.

As most of the universities in Karnataka are already conducting Kannada post-graduate courses, instead of teaching M.A. in Kannada, basic Kannada learning classes were conducted for candidates from other States who were preparing to work in Karnataka at the centre. In addition, translation works, seminars and workshops were conducted.

Work so far

Kaviraja Marga, Vaddaradhane, Gadhayuddha and other classic literary works have been translated into English from the centre. However, all these activities have come to a standstill without a head of the Chair. Also, no students are enrolled in basic Kannada learning classes.

Already, Kannada departments in Banaras University and Delhi University closed down and notification should be issued soon to invite applications to appoint a head for the chair, said Prof. Bilimale.

“The Vice-Chancellor of JNU has requested the State Government for an additional grant of ₹10 crore for expansion of the Chair. I have discussed this with the Minister of Higher Education. The State Government already provided ₹6 crore for the Chair. The interest from this money is being used for the academic activities of the Chair and staff salary.” said Dr. Bilikale.

Tamil Nadu example

He pointed out that the Tamil Nadu Government has given ₹25 crore to the Tamil Language Chair in JNU. With this grant, the chair became a department and expanded its scope of work. “In addition, if five years have passed since the inception of any study chair, it is eligible to come under the University Grants Commission (UGC), as per the rules. It has already been nine years since the Kannada Chair was set up. JNU and the State government should take appropriate action to bring it under the purview of UGC. It will decrease the additional (financial) burden on the State government,” Prof. Bilimale added.