25 Authors Return Their Awards, 4 Resign from the Sahitya Akademi

25 writers have returned their Akademi award in protest against the dadri killing and murders of rationalists.

Registering their protest against the recent murders of rationalists, and the Dadri incident, 25 Indian authors have returned awards they received from the Sahitya Akademi, and four have resigned from their posts at the Akademi.

Over a dozen Konkani writers plan to return Sahitya Akademi awards.

The 27-member executive board, representing writers from 24 languages of the country, is set to discuss the Akademi’s response at its emergency meeting on 23 October.

Four resign From Sahitya Akademi

25 Authors Returned Their Akademi Awards

Here come the Modi Toadies. FYI, Toadies: I support no Indian political party & oppose all attacks on free speech. Liberty is my only party.

— Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) October 12, 2015

Opposition in Support of Writers

Cheap political leaders are attacking the very soul of India by “decrying and denying” the country’s diversity.
— Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Leader, Congress

I appreciate the position taken by madam (Sahgal), she reflects the moral mood, anger in the country against intolerance shown by RSS and Sangh Parivar outfits against the fellow citizens.
— D Raja, Leader, CPI

This is an award given by writers to writers. It has nothing to do with the government. It is their personal choice to return it… we accept it.

— Mahesh Sharma, Culture Minister

What the Akademi Says...

Writers should adopt a different way to protest. How can they blame the Sahitya Akademi, which has been in existence for over 60 years. Even during the Emergency the Akademi did not take a stand.
— Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, Chairperson, Sahitya Akademi