Congress backing writers: BJP

New Delhi: A political slugfest broke out on Thursday over growing number of writers returning their literary awards with the Congress dubbing as “perverse and cynical” finance minister Arun Jaitley’s dismissal of their action as a “manufactured paper rebellion” against the government.

The BJP, on its part, targeted the Congress, saying those returning awards in the wake of Dadri lynching incident and attacks on rationalists are doing new kind of politics after their “patrons” lost and seemed like “Congress sponsored” as they stood in support of that party.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi also waded into the row when he said there appeared to be “some kind of political considerations” behind return of Sahitya Akademi awards by various writers to protest against alleged growing intolerance.

Dubbing Mr Jaitley’s remarks as “perverse and cynical”, Congress leader Anand Sharma contended that there was a “plan to create division with the diabolical agenda of radical elements of the so called Hindutva forces to suppress dissent and intimidate those (who speak up).”

“We respect their (writers’) intelligence but if they stand in support of a party that has lost election, Anand Sharma will talk about it, then it will further clarify that it is Congress sponsored,” senior Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said adding, “See their last 10 year history, except few. Their patrons have lost today so they are resorting to new politics.”

“Anand Sharma should answer where were these writers at the time of Tasleema Nasreen incident in Bengal,” Mr Prasad said.