LitFest has lost its soul: Prakash Belawadi

BENGALURU: Just minutes after Vikram Sampath, one of the organisers of Bangalore Literature Festival, announced his decision to step away from the festival on Saturday, fans and writers flooded him with requests to reconsider his decision.

Mr Sampath posted on Saturday on his Facebook page, “I have taken the painful decision of stepping away from all responsibility of organising the Festival. Since the protesting writers had a problem with my presence and involvement with the festival rather than the festival’s nature and character.”

Actor and director Prakash Belawadi said, “I am appalled at the behaviour of Kannada writers. This is a classic example of intolerance. What tolerance are they preaching about? If the organisers or promoters are forced to step down then they have shamed the festival. He has done nothing wrong. A festival which needs to be saved like this, then it most certainly has lost its soul.”

Sakshi Singh replying to the post, said, “I am really really sad to hear this, Sir. It is because of you that book lovers/writers have got the chance to attend the sessions of second largest Literature Festival of India. It was you because of whom BLF got this status of being the second largest Lit Fest of India”.

Many others said it was a loss to the festival. “I do hope you'll reconsider your decision Vikram especially since a literature festival is bigger than a few writers and their opinions,” posted Maitrayee.

Another fan expressed discontentment saying, “Truly shocking. The writers and the so-called intellectuals have in fact exposed their own grey shades. Whether you would like to return an award or not is entirely an individual's choice as much the form of protest.”