Counter protest against claims of "rising intolerance"

Several citizens gathered here under the leadership of veteran Kannada writer, researcher and historian M Chidananda Murthy in support of the counter protest against writers and artists returning their honours in for "rising intolerance" in the country.
Noted writer and critic Sumatheendra Nadig, actor Avinash were among the other prominent faces who gathered to counter the intolerance protests.
"A few people are returning awards' alleging that there is intolerance in the country- it is foolishness. I'm also a Sahitya Akademi award winner but I'm not returning it because I'm not seeing any intolerance among the people in this country," Murthy said.

He said "I dont see any intolerance on part of the union government and I did not get the award from the central government. I was awarded by the Akademi which is an autonomous organisation."
The gathering voiced its opinion that there is no such "rising intolerance" in the country as is being projected, and India is the "most tolerant country in the world where there is peaceful co-existence amidst diversity.