Bengaluru: Dalit poet Siddalingaiah has been selected for the annual Pampa award instituted by the state government. The selection committee, led by Dr. G Mallepuram Venkatesh, made the announcement.

Siddalingaiah, a Dalit poet and novelist, is considered to be one of the pillars of the Dalit movement in Karnataka. An academician by profession, he has also served as an MLC once.

The award includes a citation and an Rs.5 lakh cash prize.

According to the detractors, he has been selected for the award as part of the BJP’s effort to appease the dalit community especially the madigas.