Chairperson of Sahiyta Akademi Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari on Saturday said the extremist mindset prevailing in the country is one of the main reasons why respectable writers are returning their awards.
"It is sad. It is sad for the Sahitya Akademi that such respectable people are returning their awards. Many of our writers feel that the extremist mindset, which cannot tolerate the views of other people, is spreading in the country," Tiwari told ANI.
"The writers did not have any discussion with me before returning there awards. I will take this matter to the executive board which is the top most body of Sahitya Akademi," he added.
Malayalam novelist Sarah Joseph on Saturday said she has decided to return her Kendra Sahitya Academy award in protest against the 'terror-like' situation prevailing in the country.
Joseph had bagged the academy award in 2003 for her novel Aalahayude Penmakkal (Daughters of God, the father).
