Kashmir writer Margoob Banhali returns Sahitya Akademi award

Noted Kashmir writer and poet Margoob Banhali on Monday joined the growing list of litterateurs to return the Sahitya Akademi Award in protest against the “increasing attacks on minorities” in the country.

“Attacks on minorities in India have grown. The barbaric attack of 20-year-old Zahid Rasool Bhat resulted in his death in south Kashmir. In view of this brutality, I have decided to return my Sahitya Akademi Award,” said Banhali. He was conferred the Award for his book ‘Partanistan’ in 1979.