Udupi: Eminent writer declines state Sahitya Academy Award in protest


Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 11: Eminent writer and reviewer, G Rajashekhar has declined the Karnataka state Sahitya Academy award for his book 'Bahuvachana Bharata'. The book was published in 2015 and was chosen for the award this year.

Speaking to daijiworld, Rajashekar said, "I would like to thank the Academy for selecting me for this honour. But I will not accept this award because of previous incidents which happened in 2015. Many noted writers had returned their awards, certificates and cheques in 2015 in revolt against curbing of freedom of speech and expression. Keeping that in mind, I have decided not to accept the award."

G Rajashekhar came to know about his selection for the award from a daily newspaper. In 2015, beef was banned in some states and after the murder of Mohammad Akhlaq in Uttar Pradesh, the situation worsened. Further, during that period two social thinkers were killed.

"Now the situation in the nation has deteriorated even further. There is further curtailing of freedom of speech and expression. The present government is trying to suppress people's thoughts. The current ruling party is not working in favour of public. The power of this nation is in the hands of RSS and right-wing parties," the writer alleged.

"I would like to clarify that I am honoured to be chosen for the award. Not to accept the award is my personal decision and nobody can convince me to accept it. If I receive this award, it would be inappropriate keeping in mind the current situation," added G Rajashekhar.

The state Sahitya Academy Award will be presented in a ceremony to be held on February 7 in Bengaluru.

  

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Comment on this article

  • PAM Suvarna, Karla

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    Who is he?

    May be disappointed with Siddanna!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, KSA

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    Salute you Mr. Rajshekar for your bold and true statement. You are a true Indian. God bless you sir !

    DisAgree [6] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Navin Shetty, Manipal/ Bahrain

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    Sir, Welcome to the Award Wapsi Gang, hope you enjoy your stay.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fredrick, Shirthady / Doha

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    It requires guts to tell the nation the misdeeds of current regime(Central govt). I salute you sir for your boldness.

    DisAgree [22] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Abhijit, M'lore

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    Name a single misdeeds of the govt wch is curbing your freedom of speech?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • KK, karkala

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    Is he complaining against state or central government ?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sorebil Guzaiel, Mlore

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    He is a social thinker for Indians and not as you think for State or Center. Respect our reformists.

    DisAgree [19] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Udupi

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    There are still a lot of frustrated souls who want to come to limelight not through good work, but with cheap mentality. Cannot help.

    Bengali hindus driven out of homes, burned, killed by tmmc goons. Some jokers dont see hindu lifes as valuable. They are happy clinging to some stale news if it suits their dirty agenda.. shame.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • RonRon, Udupi

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    Go and fight for hindus in Bengal if u have courage!!!!

    DisAgree [21] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sorebil Guzaiel, Mlore

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    @ Rajesh, Mr. Rajashekar is social thinker, reformer.

    DisAgree [19] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Udupi

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    Sorebil Guzaiel
    I have respect for social thinkers. My comment is in general not to mr Rajashekhar as such. But please tell me, is it fair for anyone to ignore recent killings in once place but hold on to another killing in some other place? If we really are digging old news, why not blame Kashmir massacre or sikh genocide too? don’t you see a peculiarity among view of some people? People in public cannot be that double standard. That was my opinion.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • cyril mathias, udupi

    Thu, Jan 12 2017

    G Rajashekar represents the conscience of the elite progressive community.There is no iota of falsehood in what he says.I salute him for his uprightness and being bold in telling the nation about the ills of communal-ism spearheaded by the communal brigade with their bunch of lies.Proud of you sir.

    DisAgree [28] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Udupi: Eminent writer declines state Sahitya Academy Award in protest



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