The killings of writers, intellectuals and rationalists like M.M Kalburgi , Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Panasare, have proved to be unnerving for many talented minds in the country. The silence of the government as well as the institutions has added a scary edge to the whole situation and that has led many to question their role in preserving freedom of speech and expression.

After several prominent names like writers Uday Prakash and Nayantara Sahgal returning their Sahitya Akademi awards, The Hindu reported that poet K.Satchidanandan resigned from all posts in the Akademi following its silence on the threat to democracy.

A winner of 27 literary awards including the Sahitya Akademi award, Satchidanandan is also the most translated India poet with his work being translated to 19 languages. Satchidanandan’s decision was followed by another Sahitya Akademi awardee Sarah Joseph returning her award, as reported by The Times Of India .

K. Satchidanandan | Source: Wikipedia

Satchidanandan who was the chief executive of the Sahitya Akademi, gave a statement in which he expressed his disappointment towards the Akademi’s failure to stand with writers to uphold democratic values.

He pointed out that holding condolence meetings is hardly a fitting response to the murders of writers and the threat to freedom of speech .

On the other hand Malayalam writer Sarah Joseph cited the rising communal violence and hatred in the country , as the reason behind her decision.

Sarah Joseph | Source: Wikipedia

Satchinanandan said, “I am sorry to find that you think this is a political issue while to writers like me it is an issue of our basic freedom to live , think and write.”

Nayantara Sahgal | Source: Wikipedia

Satchidanandan said that he was grateful to the Sahitya Akademi for all that it had given him, but made it clear that his conscience as a writer does not allow him to continue his association with the institution.

Read more:

Writer Returns Sahitya Akademi Award To Protest MM Kalburgi’s Murder

2 More Writers Return Sahitya Akademi Awards As PM Maintains Silence On Extremist Groups

After Dabholkar, Pansare & Kalburgi, Journalist Nikhil Wagle May Be Next Target