Kannada writer Yogesh Master at the launch of his controversial book Dhundi. Kannada writer Yogesh Master at the launch of his controversial book Dhundi.

Kannada writer Yogesh Master was arrested after local Hindu outfits lodged a complaint against him for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Hindus by depicting Lord Ganesh in poor light in his novel 'Dhundi'. The Hindu outfits had lodged the complaint against 45-year-old Yogesh, who was arrested on Thurday evening.The Bangalore police have booked the writer under Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) and 298 (uttering words etc. with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) of the IPC.After spending a night behind the bars at the Kalasipalya police station, Yogesh was produced before the VIII Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACCM) court, Bangalore, on Friday which granted him conditional bail. The court imposed restriction on the sale and exhibition of the novel.Noted writer Banjagere Jayaprakash, who had released Dhundi on August 21, was the first to criticise the arrest of Yogesh. "This is a wrong precedent. Arresting a writer is not the appropriate action to express dissent. I condemn the arrest. This is the first time that a Kannada writer has been arrested because a few Hindu groups are not happy with his book," he said.Incidentally, Jayaprakash had to face widespread criticism from Hindu activists following the release of his controversial book 'Anudeva Horaganavanu'.Another Kannada writer, Baraguru Ramachandrappa, too criticised the police action. "This issue could have been dealt with in a civilised manner instead of seeking his (Yogesh) arrest. What have the complainants achieved by getting him arrested? The need of the hour is to maintain peace," he asserted.A delegation of Kannada writers is expected to meet Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah soon to express their concern over the episode and draw his attention towards the growing intolerance of the Hindu outfits in Karnataka.When reached for his comment, Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah tried to skirt the issue. "I am not aware of the issue. I cannot comment on it," the chief minister said. Besides writing novels, Yogesh is also a painter and theatre personality. His literary works include 'Jojo Laali', 'Dooridhoori', 'Antarakshi', 'Shubha Raathri', 'Jeevana Sanjeevana' and 'Samanaanthara Rekhegalu'.