Art bodies resent Jayakar's nomination

NK SINGH

With the Vibha-Karanth affair taking a backseat over time, attention is now shifting toward Bharat Bhawan, the sprawling lakeside cultural complex that employed both principal figures in last month’s highly charged controversy, which left Miss Vibha with 80% burns.

On Saturday, the Bharat Bhawan management formally announced an inquiry into the institution, to be conducted by one of its trustees, Mrs. Pupul Jayakar. However, several cultural organizations in the city strongly opposed this decision, likening it to “asking a thief to catch a thief.”

A press note issued on behalf of the Bharat Bhawan Trust stated that any person or organization wishing to file complaints against Bharat Bhawan could send them “directly in a sealed cover” to Mrs. Jayakar by June 15. 

Around two dozen cultural and literary organizations in the city have reacted sharply to the decision, criticizing the appointment of a trustee to investigate the trust’s affairs. These groups have been demanding a judicial inquiry into alleged “irregularities, favoritism, and autocracy” by the Bharat Bhawan management, led by AICC(I) Vice-President Mr. Arjun Singh and Madhya Pradesh Government Culture Secretary Mr. Ashok Vajpeyi.

Calling the inquiry an “eye-wash,” these organizations pointed out that Mrs. Jayakar had previously signed a statement, issued after an emergency trust meeting, condemning press and public criticism of Bharat Bhawan.

In that statement, she had denounced the “vicious propaganda” by certain “vested interests” against Bharat Bhawan, describing it as “one of the most prestigious cultural institutions” and dismissing the allegations as a “highly motivated campaign of calumny.” Critics now question whether such a prejudiced individual can conduct an impartial inquiry.

The organizations also noted that despite several serious complaints against Mr. Ashok Vajpeyi, widely regarded as the “cultural king” of Madhya Pradesh, Mrs. Jayakar reportedly sought his services as Director-General of the Festival of India, which she heads.

A statement issued by these organizations—including Janawadi Lekhak Sangh and several theater groups—urged Mrs. Jayakar to recuse herself from the inquiry in the interest of fairness.

Reiterating their demand, they called for the dissolution of the Bharat Bhawan Trust, which had been appointed by the government, and the initiation of a high-level judicial inquiry into its affairs.

Meanwhile, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has ridiculed Mrs. Jayakar’s appointment. “How can one trustee investigate another?” questioned BJP state treasurer Mr. Kailash Sarang in a statement.

Separately, noted painter and Bharat Bhawan life trustee Mr. J. Swaminathan denied reports that Bharat Bhawan artists were planning an agitation against the trust leadership over its handling of B.V. Karanth.

A news agency report had claimed that Bharat Bhawan artists, including Mr. Swaminathan, were planning to protest against the trust management for “abandoning” Karanth in his time of crisis.

The report alleged that artists believed Bharat Bhawan had mistreated Karanth by accepting his resignation from both the trust and the directorship of Rangmandal, the repertory, following his arrest—“without verifying his guilt.”

Indian Express

June 7, 1986