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Sara Joseph to return award

By Our Staff Reporter

THRISSUR MARCH.21. The eminent Malayalam writer and women's activist, Sara Joseph, has decided to return the Sahithya Akademi award given to her in 2001 as a mark of protest against the repression of tribals at Muthanga and also against the attack being unleashed by the Government on those who oppose the official stand on the issue.

In a statement issued here today, Prof. Sara Joseph said what had happened at Muthanga was a horrifying State repression against the helpless tribals. Those in the cultural field must pool up all their resources to oppose it.

``I am also registering my protest against the cultureless statements of some of the Ministers and other spokesmen of the Government denigrating the writers and cultural activists who had opposed the tyranny that was unleashed by the police against the tribals at Muthanga. It is highly objectionable that the Minister for Cultural Affairs and ruling party leaders describing the renowned writers like M. T. Vasudevan Nair as `hypocrite' for having taken the laudable initiative of fighting for the cause of justice," she said.

Recalling that the media persons had even risked their lives to inform the world the details about the repressions that had taken place at Muthanga, Prof. Sara Joseph said the Government was unleashing cruel tortures against them and were trying to trap them in false cases using the police.

"I am also registering my strong protest against such attempts of the State to stifle the media and thereby depriving the people of their right to know the facts. The Government's move to repress any resistance of the people against the injustice by portraying it as extremism should also be condemned.

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Stories in this Section

• LDF calls off fast by MLAs
• Centre clears health project for WB aid
• Free ration for tribals
• UDF to go ahead with fast: Chandy
• Sara Joseph to return award
• Priority to traffic system in Kollam budget
• Government to evolve new water policy

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