Mysuru: While the Kannada and culture department is intent on shifting the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada to Bengaluru, the delegation of Kannada activists met CM Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru and petitioned him against the move to relocate the centre from Mysuru.The delegation including Rangayana former director Janni (Janardhan), Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies director Preethi Srimandharakumar, writer Aravind Malagatti, Kannada professor Nilagiri Talawar, researcher N S Taranath and others, led by Kannada activist P Mallesh, met Siddaramaiah at his official residence in Bengaluru on Friday.Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies director Preethi Srimandharakumar told TOI on Sunday that they had been apprised about the decision and sought his intervention."We have requested the CM to retain the centre in Mysuru. If it remains in Mysuru, it can utilize resources like manuscripts, archives, libraries and research scholars available here. The University of Mysore has in the syndicate approved the provision of a building to run the centre on its Manasagangotri campus. So we are demanding that the government retain it in Mysuru and have got a positive response from CM Siddaramaiah during our visit," she said.From the past two years, there were several discussions between Central Institute of Indian Studies (CIIL) officials and the Kannada and culture department over relocating the center from CIIL Mysuru to Bangalore University campus in Bengaluru. The centre was established at CIIL after the Union government accorded classical language status to Kannada, following a demand from pro-Kannada activists.Minister Umashree also gave her consent to shift the centre to the capital. But the plan was delayed after a section of Kannada activists and writers opposed the decision.The meeting of Kannada activists and writers with CM Siddaramaiah was held just a few days before CIIL officials met to discuss relocation of the centre to Bengaluru. The meeting will be held on January 17 at the CIIL campus where the director will discuss the state and Centre's opinion on the issue.

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