Over the past week, several eminent poets and writers have returned their literary awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, in protest against the failure to protect freedom of expression. The writers strongly feel that if nothing else the Akademi, which is an autonomous body, should have held a condolence meeting to protest against the assassination of rationalist and Akademi award winner MM Kalburgi. Namita Gokhale, author and co-director of Jaipur Literature Festival, speaks to Sahil Makkar about the controversy
Is it justified for the writers to return their awards in protest?
I don’t see from where the question of justification arises. Writers are free spirits and they are at liberty to do what they feel is right. The controversy has risen because people don’t understand the issue. All writers carry a complicated mixture of deeper responsibility towards society and a strong sense of individualism. If they felt disturbed enough to return their awards, we must accept and respect it.
Several writers have simultaneously yet independently decided to return their awards. I don’t think there are any pressures being exerted or indeed any divisions between them. Strangely, the Akademi and the government instead of understanding what is there in the hearts and minds of the writers and empathising with them, has been quick to condemn the entire writing community.
The government believes the writers are overreacting.
It is a free world. They are peacefully returning their awards. Perhaps a segment of society doesn’t comprehend what a real writer is. I deeply appreciate what the Sahitya Akademi has been doing for the last 60 years. Had the Akademi responded to the concerns of the literary community, this unfortunate situation may not have arisen.
Why do you think that the Sahitya Akademi is not reacting?
It is incomprehensible why the Akademi and the culture ministry have made this into a confrontational process rather than a platform for expressing and resolving mutual concerns.
Do you think this was perhaps due to the change of government at the Centre?
I don’t think the Centre is the issue at all. The issue was absolute insensitivity of the Sahtiya Akademi which has been now compounded by the insensitivity of statements emanating from the culture ministry.
What according to you should be done to address the issue?
Efforts should be made to restore harmony and equilibrium by sincerely asserting the need and right of the freedom of expression.
Is it justified for the writers to return their awards in protest?
I don’t see from where the question of justification arises. Writers are free spirits and they are at liberty to do what they feel is right. The controversy has risen because people don’t understand the issue. All writers carry a complicated mixture of deeper responsibility towards society and a strong sense of individualism. If they felt disturbed enough to return their awards, we must accept and respect it.
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It seems that the writers are divided and have taken a political line.
Several writers have simultaneously yet independently decided to return their awards. I don’t think there are any pressures being exerted or indeed any divisions between them. Strangely, the Akademi and the government instead of understanding what is there in the hearts and minds of the writers and empathising with them, has been quick to condemn the entire writing community.
The government believes the writers are overreacting.
It is a free world. They are peacefully returning their awards. Perhaps a segment of society doesn’t comprehend what a real writer is. I deeply appreciate what the Sahitya Akademi has been doing for the last 60 years. Had the Akademi responded to the concerns of the literary community, this unfortunate situation may not have arisen.
Why do you think that the Sahitya Akademi is not reacting?
It is incomprehensible why the Akademi and the culture ministry have made this into a confrontational process rather than a platform for expressing and resolving mutual concerns.
Do you think this was perhaps due to the change of government at the Centre?
I don’t think the Centre is the issue at all. The issue was absolute insensitivity of the Sahtiya Akademi which has been now compounded by the insensitivity of statements emanating from the culture ministry.
What according to you should be done to address the issue?
Efforts should be made to restore harmony and equilibrium by sincerely asserting the need and right of the freedom of expression.