Late poet, writer Inquilab's family declines Sahitya Akademi award

His daughter Amina is likely to send a formal letter to the Akademi, explaining that he had always expressed his voice against the governments.

Late poet and writer Inquilab.

Late poet and writer Inquilab has been selected posthumously for the Sahitya Akademi award for 2017.

But his family has decided to decline the award because he had always expressed his voice against the governments. His daughter Amina is likely to send a formal letter to the Akademi, explaining the family's decision.

Another Tamil writer who has selected for the award is U.Ma. Vasuki.

Asked about the award, theatre personality Mangai, who had worked with Inquilab and directed his plays, said the award should have been given to him when he was alive.

“He might have accepted or rejected it. But we know his name was in the list of writers considered for the award many times. He was rejected on the ground that he always stood by people and expressed their voice in his writings,” she said.

“My father used to say that he never expected awards for his writings, instead he received only condemnations and accusations. He considered frequent call for interrogation from the police as awards,” said Ms Amina, who is the managing trustee of the Inquilab Trust.