Global writers group urges PM Modi for action

Washington: Writers from 150 countries have expressed solidarity with Indian authors and artistes who have returned their prestigious awards in protest against “rising intolerance” in the country and have asked the BJP government to provide better protection and safeguard free speech.

Pen International, the world’s leading association of writers working to promote literature and defend freedom of expression around the world, in a statement on Saturday called upon the Indian government to identify and arrest the killers of M.M. Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare.

Also, PEN International President John Ralston Saul has written a letter to the President, the Prime Minister and the Sahitya Akedemi, urging them to take “immediate steps” to protect the rights of everyone, including writers and artists.

“We stand in solidarity with the more than 50 novelists, scholars, poets and public intellectuals who have returned their awards to the Akademi and admire their courage,” the letter said.

“Writers from 150 countries assembled here in Quebec City in Canada for the 81st Congress of Pen International have expressed grave concern over the crisis following the murder of noted scholar and intellectual, M.M. Kalburgi,” Mr Saul wrote.

“They have asked me, as president of Pen International, to share with you our strongly-held view that the Indian government takes immediate steps to protect the rights of everyone, including writers and artists, in the finest traditions of Indian society,” he said.

“For this, the government must reassure the community of writers and artists that its ministers are tolerant,” Mr Saul said, mourning the death of Kalburgi.