Bengaluru: The Kannadigas and Tamilians may be fighting over Cauvery issue, but that hasn’t stopped AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, who is serving a four-year term in a Bengaluru jail in a disproportionate case from becoming a student of Kannada.

Sasikala is attending classes held under the adult literacy programme at Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara, and is being taught alphabets, basic reading ability and pronunciation. Apart from Kannada reading and writing, Sasikala is also learning basics of computer science in company of her sister-in-law and fellow convict in the same DA case, J Ilavarasi.

Sources say that since Sasikala was on ‘mounavrata’ (vow to remain silent) during assessments, she did not reply to oral questions, but she is doing well in writing. The duo will receive participation certificates for having attended the course.

Exclusive library for women inmates

Earlier, the library in the jail was in the section for male inmates, but thanks to Sasikala’s interest for reading, prison authorities and the department of libraries are set to open a new library exclusively for women prisoners.

“Two more libraries will be launched in the prison, one for male undertrials and another for women inmates. The library department will spend Rs 30,000 more to buy 91 newspapers and monthly/weekly magazines for the women’s library alone. She has taken personal interest in arranging the racks. The library will be opened shortly,” said sources.