Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy awarded UK's Pen Pinter Prize for her 'unflinching' writings

Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy, currently facing the threat of prosecution over historic comments on Kashmir 14 years ago, was on Thursday honoured with the prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2024 for her unflinching and unswerving writings. The prize, established in 2009 by the charity English PEN, defends freedom of expression and celebrates literature in memory of Nobel-Laureate playwright Harold Pinter. Roy expressed her delight at being named this year's winner amid an incomprehensible turn the world is taking. I am delighted to accept the PEN Pinter prize. I wish Harold Pinter were with us today to write about the almost incomprehensible turn the world is taking. Since he isn't, some of us must do our utmost to try to fill his shoes, said 62-year-old Roy. The renowned author, who won the Booker Prize for her debut novel The God of Small Things', was chosen by this year's judges Chair of English PEN Ruth Borthwick; actor and activist Khalid Abdalla; and writer and musici

Updated On: 28 Jun 2024 | 12:13 AM IST

UN Human Rights Office urges India to drop cases against Arundhati Roy

The top UN human rights official on Thursday voiced concern over the use of anti-terror law in India to silence critics and urged authorities to drop cases against author Arundhati Roy over comments on Kashmir. "#India: We are concerned by the use of #UAPA anti-terror law to silence critics. Repeat call for review of law & release of human rights defenders detained under it. Urge authorities to drop cases against Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain over comments on Kashmir, the UN Human Rights Office, led by High Commissioner Volker Turk, said in a post on X. Earlier this month, Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena accorded sanction to prosecute Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event in 2010. Roy, a Booker Prize-winning author, and Hussain had been named in an FIR registered on October 28, 2010. The two had allegedly made provocative ...

Updated On: 27 Jun 2024 | 7:45 PM IST

Arundhati Roy faces anti-terror charges; activists, politicians speak out

Explained: Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena sanctioned author Arundhati Roy and former professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain's persecution under the UAPA for a complaint dating back 14 years

Updated On: 24 Jun 2024 | 3:58 PM IST

Nod to prosecute Arundhati under UAPA misuse of power, says Sharad Pawar

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday described as misuse of power the Delhi Lieutenant Governor's sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy under the stringent UAPA for an alleged provocative speech in 2010. He was speaking to reporters during a joint press conference with Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan. Asked about Delhi L-G VK Saxena's sanction to prosecute Roy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, for an address at an event 14 years ago, the former Union minister said, This is nothing but misuse of power. Besides Roy, Saxena on Friday also gave the green signal for action under UAPA against former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain. Roy, a Booker Prize-winning author, and Hussain had been named in an FIR registered on October 28, 2010. The two had allegedly made provocative speeches at a conference organised under the banner of Azadi - The Only Way' o

Updated On: 15 Jun 2024 | 8:55 PM IST

NC, PDP oppose prosecution sanction against Arundhati Roy under UAPA

The National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party have expressed their disapproval of the prosecution sanction against author Arundhati Roy and a former professor in Kashmir under the stringent UAPA for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event in Delhi in 2010. According to officials, the FIR against Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain was registered following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi. Expressing disapproval of the move, the National Conference (NC) stressed the need to uphold the fundamental right of every citizen to free speech as guaranteed by Article 19 of the Constitution. "The NC expresses its strong disapproval of the prosecution of author Arundhati Roy and Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). The use of anti-terror laws to suppress dissent and criminalize speech is deeply concerning," it said in a post on 'X'. "It is also imperative to note

Updated On: 15 Jun 2024 | 4:49 PM IST

'Delhi L-G grants prosecution sanction against Arundhati Roy under UAPA'

Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has accorded sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and a former professor in Kashmir under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event here in 2010, Raj Niwas officials said on Friday. The FIR against Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain was registered following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi, they added. There was no immediate reaction from Roy and Hussain. The FIR in the matter was registered on a complaint made by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, on October 28, 2010. "Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law in Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under section 45 (1) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case," a Raj Niwas official said on Friday. Last October, the LG had granted sanction to .

Updated On: 14 Jun 2024 | 11:26 PM IST

Delhi L-G approves prosecution of Arundhati Roy in 2010 speech case

Arundhati Roy was booked based on a complaint filed on October 28, 2010, by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir

Updated On: 11 Oct 2023 | 12:43 PM IST

Writer Arundhati Roy receives European Essay Prize for lifetime achievement

Writer Arundhati Roy has been awarded the 45th European Essay Prize for lifetime achievement, the Charles Veillon Foundation has announced. Roy has been awarded the prize for the French translation of her compilation of essays titled "Azadi" (2021). "The jury of the Prix Europeen de l'Essai wishes to highlight an enriching work in terms of reflection on the construction of the world and the relationship with language. Arundhati Roy uses the essay as a form of combat, analysing fascism and the way it is being structured. This is an issue that is increasingly occupying our lives. Her essays offer shelter to a multitude of people," the Foundation said in a statement. The jury also acknowledged Roy's "commitment to political action". In "Azadi", Roy has reflected on the meaning of freedom in a world of "growing authoritarianism". The essays include meditations on language, public as well as private, and on the role of fiction and alternative imaginations in current times. The Delhi-ba

Updated On: 16 Jun 2023 | 5:28 PM IST

Today's India is like a plane flying backwards, says Arundhati Roy

Roy was speaking at the launch of the book titled "Why do you fear my way so much?", a selection of poems and letters written by jailed human rights activist G N Saibaba

Updated On: 05 May 2022 | 6:40 AM IST

Govt incarcerating activists, academics: Arundhati Roy on DU prof's arrest

Roy said people representing secular, anti-caste and anti-capitalist politics posed a threat to the government's disastrous Hindu Nationalist politics

Updated On: 29 Jul 2020 | 2:53 PM IST

Solidarity in pestilence

The Plague serves as a parable of the German occupation of Paris during World War II

Updated On: 28 Mar 2020 | 12:54 AM IST

Shekhar Gupta: Indian, nationalist and Muslim

A new Indian Muslim is rising. They're dressed like Muslims but are also flaunting their patriotism, nationalism, love for tricolour, national anthem and Constitution

Updated On: 21 Dec 2019 | 9:35 AM IST

Arundhati, Rushdie make it to BBC's 100 'Novels That Shaped Our World' list

The list has been collated by a panel of writers, curators and critics to select the 100 English language 'Novels That Shaped Our World'

Updated On: 06 Nov 2019 | 10:50 PM IST

Arundhati Roy writes on politics of 'perfect majority', 'satanic minority'

'As elections approach... 'expect more arrests, lynching, killing', Roy says in a letter to arrested Bangladeshi writer Shahidul Alam, on PEN International's Day of the Imprisoned Writers

Updated On: 15 Nov 2018 | 3:05 PM IST

Right vs Wrong: Arundhati Roy, Mohandas Pai funding fake news busters

Left-leaning Alt News received donations from Roy's trust and Mohandas Pai is a shareholder in right-leaning OpIndia

Updated On: 07 Apr 2018 | 5:48 PM IST

Technology has shattered our intimate moments, feels Arundhati Roy

Non-fiction is written with a sense of urgency, while fiction writing is carefree, says the author

Updated On: 30 Aug 2017 | 1:37 PM IST

Arundhati's new novel lays India bare, unveiling worlds within our world

Roy holds it all together, clumsily yet passionately, leaving no one and nothing out

Updated On: 28 Jul 2017 | 8:34 AM IST

SC stays criminal contempt proceedings against Arundhati Roy in Bombay HC

SC has stayed criminal contempt proceedings against Roy in the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court

Updated On: 03 Jul 2017 | 6:16 PM IST

Arundhati Roy's second novel is a powerful elegy for a bulldozed world

Nilanjana S Roy reviews The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

Updated On: 30 May 2017 | 1:48 PM IST

'Why not tie her'?: How fake news triggered media attacks on Arundhati Roy

Paresh Rawal had said instead of tying stone pelter on the army jeep tie Arundhati Roy

Updated On: 24 May 2017 | 11:16 AM IST