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.