A day after the Sahitya Akademi condemned the killing of rationalist M.M. Kalburgi and assured that some action would be taken, many writers said they were glad the institution had broken its long silence on the issue.
“The Akademi has come out with a strong statement. As writers, we will build a defence of freedom of expression when the average man understands that freedom of expression is a fundamental right,” author Jerry Pinto told IANS on the sidelines of the first leg of the Kumaon Literary Festival which got under way here on Friday.
Denouncing the criticism that writers were displaying selective outrage by returning their awards, Mr Pinto said the events had reached a tipping point.
For author and literary historian Rakshanand Jalil, though the Akademi’s statement came late, writers can’t be held responsible for breaking the silence. “The Akademi’s response is too little, too late. We can’t be held (responsible) for breaking the silence. It’s a flawed reason to accuse writers. Things have reached a certain pass.”
“Glad that Akademi silence is broken; returning awards is a symbolic move. I don’t think there is any political bias as writers like Nayantara Sahgal have always spoken up,” said author Anuja Chauhan. -- IANS
