So far, nine writers have returned their awards in protest over the killing of Kalburgi
Gujarat-based writer Ganesh Devy
New Delhi: Gujarat-based writer Ganesh Devy and five other eminent writers decided to return their Sahitya Akademi awards while Kannada writer Aravind Malagatti resigned from the body’s general council, joining the growing protest by litterateurs over “rising intolerance” and “communal” atmosphere.
So far, nine writers have returned their awards in protest against the organisation’s silence on the murder of author M M Kalburgi, allegedly for his rationalist views.
Earlier in the day Sahitya Akademi chairperson Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari came out with a statement saying the apex literary body stands for freedom of expression and condemns attack on any writer or artist anywhere. It asserted its commitment to the “core secular values” enshrined in the Constitution and the “right to life of all”.
That was clearly not enough. Devy, who hails from Vadodara, said he was returning the award to express solidarity with Nayantara Sahgal, Ashok Vajpeyi and others who have given up their awards.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
