On 31 January 2006 , the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi , Gowda observed a dawn-to-dusk fast seeking classical language status for Kannada . Earlier he had fasted once before for same cause and also threatened to return his Padma Shri that was conferred on him in 2001 . Eventually he did not return the award as he was hopeful of a favourable reply from the then President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam . In 2014 , ex-minister P. G. R. Sindhia requested government to confer upon him the title of poet laureate ( '' Rashtrakavi '' ) for his contributions to the Kannada language
death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
Javare Gowda