Speak up on 'communal frenzy', Kashmiri writers to Akademi

A federation of Kashmiri scholars today expressed solidarity with the eminent writers for their decision to return Sahitya Akademi awards, asking the top literary body to break its silence over the increasing "communal frenzy" which has been strongly criticised by the writers.
The president of Adbee Markaz Kamraz (AMK), a body of 25 literary and cultural organizations from north Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari, said in a statement here, "They are people with conscience and they have spoken the language of heart."
He said the writers, who returned their awards in protest against the increasing communalization and criminalization in India, must be supported by one and all.

"The increasing intolerance over petty issues is a serious matter of concern for thinkers and writers, and that is why half a dozen leading writers and intellectuals have strongly come out against the communal frenzy," he added.
Expressing anguish over the silence maintained by Sahitya Akademi over the murder of noted writer Professor M M Kalburgi, Bukhari said despite the protests and resignations tendered by eminent people associated with Akademi, it is yet to come clean vis-a-vis its stand on the issue.
He said resignations by K Satchidanandan and Shashi Deshpande from the prestigious body, and returning of awards by Nayantara Sahgal and former Lalit Kala Akademi chairman Ashok Vajpeyi and Uday Prakash, is an eye opener not only for the Akademi, but also for the all the people who have conscience.

The AMK president said it was time for all right-thinking people to stand up and support these writers as they have emerged as a light at the end of a dark tunnel.
Bukhari also urged the Sahitya Akademi award winners from Kashmir to stand up against this silence and muster courage to side with right-thinking people.
"Unfortunately, this wave of communal frenzy has been showing its head in Jammu and Kashmir as well, and if not contained and fought back it will have disastrous consequences," he said, adding that writers have an important role in changing the direction of society towards positivity and tolerance.