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| Statement released by Devanuru Mahadeva on returning his awards below |
November 14, 2015, NewsCrunch
Kannada writer Devanuru Mahadeva has decided to return Padmashri and
In a brief statement, he said, he refrained from returning the awards when others were doing so, showing an uncharacteristic patience.
But when he saw a section of intellectuals and artists defending the government, he got fed up and decided to return the awards.
Devanuru Mahadeva, a highly acclaimed Dalit writer, was awarded Padmashri in 2011 and the Central Sahtya Akademi Award for his slim magnum opus Kusuma Bale.
He had earlier refused to accept the Nrupatunga Award as the State government had failed to make Kannada the primary language of instruction in schools and colleges.
He had also declined to be nominated to Rajya Sabha on the litterateur's quota.
Statement released by Devanuru Mahadeva on returning his awards
I believe that intellectuals, artists and writers have a role to play in keep governance sensitive and people oriented.
When others started returning awards due to rising intolerance I refrained from doing so showing an uncharacteristic patience.
But when a section of intellectuals and artists stood up to defend the government, I got fed up and decided to return the awards in disgust.
My decision is only symbolic as I would not be able to return the position and stature I may have received along with the awards.