Now, novelist Sara Joseph returns Akademi Award; says intolerance is visible everywhere
October 10, 2015 12:15
Malayalam novelist Sarah Joseph on Saturday returned her Sahitya Akademi award in protest against the alleged "stifling of free thinking and trampling of democratic ideals".
Josephs protest came on the day Malayalam poet K Satchitanandan announced he had resigned from the Akademis executive board.
"Shocking tales are coming out every day. A writer can't keep quiet. And higher authorities' continued silence is really frightening," said Joseph.
"It is sad people are even denied their basic right to select their food. Intolerance is visible everywhere," she said commenting about the murder of a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh's Bisada village for allegedly slaughtering a cow and eating beef.
"The recent killings of writers and rationalists are really worrying. And people are spilling blood on the street over their right to take their food. Fringe organizations are dictating terms for them what to eat or what not to. Situation is really scary," she said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had commented on Bisada nine days after the murder.
"We all thought the PM would refer the incident and console the family. But he made a general speech aimed at attracting more votes in Bihar assembly election. It is highly deplorable," she said.
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