Mysuru library torched by miscreants; donors raise over Rs 15 lakh

Team Udayavani, Apr 12, 2021, 1:36 PM IST

Mysuru: A public library run by a Muslim man that had a collection of 3000 copies of Bhagavad Gita was allegedly set on fire by unknown miscreants on Friday, April 9

The library was run by a 62-year-old daily wage labourer Syed Isaaq and had a collection of 11,000 books including Bhagavad Gita.

Following the incident, Isaaq filed a police complaint about the fire alleging the fire may have been set by those who are against the Kannada language in a predominantly Muslim area of the city.

The incident triggered efforts by civil society to help him rebuild his dream of spreading knowledge and around Rs 15 lakh was raised via social media campaign

BJP leader Rajendra Syed visited Isaaq’s house and BY Vijayendra has also promised to help Syed Isaaq.

Also, publishers of the Department of Public Libraries expressed their desire to contribute to the re-establishment of the library by donating books or extending financial assistance.

Deputy Director of City Central Library, Mysuru, B. Manjunath said MCC Commissioner Shilpa Nag will visit the library destroyed by fire in Rajiv Nagar on Monday, April 12 at 4 pm

Manjunath said that the officials will examine the ownership of the land on which the library was set up and even if the land is part of a park, there is provision for establishing a library. If the plot of land did not belong to a park and if belonged to the MCC, a library can be established on the land

He further said that the Central government’s Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation has also sought information about the library.  A report has been sent to the State government through the Director of the Department of Public Libraries