From Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 22: A two-day seminar on 'Conversations of the Constitution' organised by the Karnataka Social Welfare Department was cancelled after the inaugural address by former Vice President Hamid Ansari and a panel discussion on the “origins and historical challenges of the Constitution.”

The seminar was organisedby the State’s Social Welfare Department in partnership with NDTV and Samruddha Bharat as per the original arrangementin Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Pro-Kannada groups picketed at the five-star hotel, where the seminar was arranged even as Ansari was delivering his speech by contending that the State Government had declared 3-day mourning as a mark of respect over the demise of the 111-year old Sri Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, who passed away on Monday and the funeral was being held on Tuesday with full State honours.

The Opposition BJP too opposed holding of the seminar as the State was observing a 3-day mourning period till January 23.

BJP spokesperson GMadhusudan boycotted the event by walking out.

BJP leader Lehar Singh too hit out at the Congress leader and Minister Priyank Kharge for organizing the seminar knowing fully well the State Government’s decision of according 3-day mourning and cancellation of all official programmes.

However, the as a mark of respect to the seer, the seminar was started after observing one minute silence.

Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge explained that a decision was taken on Monday to go ahead with the seminar since it was not an entertainment programme.

But after the protests, he said the event stands adjourned.

N Ram, Chairaman of The Hindu Group of Publications, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, RJD leader TejashwiYadav, actor Prakash Raj, activist MedhaPatkar among others were scheduled to speak at the event.

Earlier, a panel comprised of BJP MP Rakesh Sinha, CPM leader Brinda Karat, RSS ideologue Seshadri Chari, political scientist AshutoshVarshneyand JNU professor Mridula Mukherjee debated issues related to the relevance of the constitution in the present context.

Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari, in his speech, called for strengthening of the federal structure of the Indian polity. He highlighted the features of cooperative fedaralism.

Ansari noted that it was not surprising that the subject of state autonomy and of centre-state relations has been raised from time to time.